From September, a set of updated Gatsby benchmarks will become statutory guidance for all schools, colleges and, for the first time, independent training providers (ITPs).
This moment represents a raising of the bar in how we deliver careers education. It’s crucial that robust systems are in place to support ITPs, ensuring consistency and quality across the entire education landscape.
By embedding the updated benchmarks into strategic planning linked to school, college and ITP priorities, we signal to every young person, parent and employer that careers guidance is not an optional extra, but lies at the very heart of an equitable education system.
Originating from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation in 2014, the eight benchmarks have become the gold standard for careers provision. Over 90 per cent of schools and colleges measure their progress using the benchmarks.
Their purpose is simple yet profound: to ensure every student benefits from impartial advice, meaningful employer encounters and tailored support.
I’ve seen this in action recently at Lancaster and Morecambe College in Lancashire, where every element of the careers programme links back to the curriculum.
The college developed a careers strategy that places it at the forefront of environmentalism and sustainability within FE, inspired by the Eden Project. Most importantly, the college curriculum connects employers, schools and the wider community to develop understanding of real-world skills and local opportunities.
Colleges and schools that meet all eight benchmarks evidence stronger alignment with labour-market demand, increased career readiness for students and a narrowing gender gap in STEM pathways.
For disadvantaged students, the benchmarks are a proven lever for social mobility and measurably reduce NEET (not in education, employment or training) figures.
Evidence of success
Training provider Kaplan has been implementing the updated benchmarks during the last year.
Kaplan’s careers strategy helps individuals achieve their goals by providing an accessible and stable careers information, advice and guidance programme that meets students’ needs at every touchpoint.
In collaboration with employers, staff have been on a journey of embedding careers into the curriculum, tailored to different levels for students at various stages and ages. With the help of national support systems Kaplan subsequently raised its Ofsted personal development judgement from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘outstanding’.
What’s new?
The updated guidance preserves the eight-point core but brings it into the digital age and addresses widening inequalities through five core themes:
- Leadership-driven careers culture – careers strategy co-owned by senior leaders and governors
- Greater inclusion and support for disadvantaged/SEND students – targeted interventions and tailored pathways for all students
- Richer, more reflective employer and workplace encounters – multiple meaningful workplace visits that develop skills
- Smarter use of data to track and tailor support – identifying gaps and targeting for personalised programmes
- Parental engagement – embedding parent and carer engagement into planning, and specifying the need to share information.
These refinements reflect modern challenges, from AI-driven recruitment to the gig economy, while safeguarding what works.
Why leaders must prepare now
With three months until implementation, institutions cannot afford to wait. Embedding a leadership-driven careers culture takes time and involves establishing governance structures, upskilling staff and forging more employer partnerships.
Many careers leaders have already begun the journey but the year ahead is critical to secure stronger student outcomes, sharpen approaches to career readiness and foster cross-departmental collaboration.
High-quality careers provision transforms lives. Consider this: girls with a 100 per cent career readiness score are twice as likely to pursue engineering. This isn’t a peripheral benefit – it’s proof that careers education is fundamental to a well-rounded, future-facing education.
The Careers & Enterprise Company stands ready with 44 regional careers hubs offering tools, training and dedicated support.
CEOs, heads, principals and governors – prioritise this strategically today. The groundwork you lay will shape your whole careers programme for the cohorts ahead.
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