Exclusive: NUS survey says careers advice is failing students

Careers advice, especially in relation to apprenticeships, is failing young people, a new survey by the NUS has suggested.

Over 50 percent of university students were reported as being unaware of the apprenticeship opportunities available to them.

The survey was taken from a sample of over 800 students.

Many have argued that starting careers advice earlier, and perhaps giving it more thoroughly, has never been more imperative.

Speaking at this year’s NUS Student Media Summit, NUS President Toni Pearce said: “Students need the information and tools to thrive, whatever their learning journey.

“We need a no-holds barred review of advice and guidance to ensure it is fit for purpose and fit for the realities of students’ lives.”

21 percent of apprentices say that information is lacking, reporting having never received any information about their vocation from a careers service in a school, college or university.

Moreover, 46 percent of students rated advice given as either barely acceptable or very poor.

A Guardian article on careers advice earlier this year suggested that “learning how to manage your career is a lifelong process which needs to start early on in secondary school.

“But government policy is leading to less rather than more career support for young people.”

Ms Pearce also commented that, with the recent spike in tuition fees across the country from roughly £3,000 to £9,000, other higher education options are looking more enticing.

Since the increase in tuition fees, graduates face over £20,000 worth of debts upon completion of their degree, and in turn there was a 40 percent drop in university admissions this year.

She argued that careers advice is more important than ever and that the government need to tighten and enforce legislation to ensure that schools, colleges and other organisational bodies are able to support future generations.

However, research from the survey highlighted that the apprenticeship minimum wage (£2.65 per hour), which is less than half of the minimum wage for those over 21 (£6.91), could be a major deterrent for those who would otherwise consider apprenticeships.

Ms Pearce stated: “You can’t be, what you can’t see”.

Do you think careers advice at Warwick is “failing students”?
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