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Raising Aspirations

Raising Aspirations. Margot James MP. “Aspirations for success are high among the majority of young people but there seems to be a disparity between young people from different socio-economic backgrounds in levels of knowledge and confidence about routes into professional careers.”

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Raising Aspirations

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  1. Raising Aspirations Margot James MP

  2. “Aspirations for success are high among the majority of young people but there seems to be a disparity between young people from different socio-economic backgrounds in levels of knowledge and confidence about routes into professional careers.” The Rt Hon Alan Milburn Fair Access to Professional Careers May 2012 “The mission for this government is to build an aspiration nation...to unleash and unlock the promise in all our people” Prime Minister David Cameron Speech to Conservative Party Conference October 2012

  3. Skills The Black Country is underperforming on the skills front Source: Office for National Statistics

  4. Employment Consequence – poor employment levels Source: Office for National Statistics

  5. Aspirations - Aims • Raising aspirations • Combating stereotypes • Developing relevant skills • Securing greater employer involvement

  6. Aim 1: Raising Aspirations To raise young peoples’ awareness of careers in: • Professions • Industry & manufacturing • Financial services • Other service sectors • Advanced technology • Food & Farming Relevant information: • Qualifications • Personal qualities & confidence • GCSE and A level course choices • Extracurricular activities

  7. Aim 1: Raising Aspirations • The maintained/independent school divide must be bridged Statistic 1: only 7% of the population attend independent schools, but the privately educated account for more than half of the top level of most professions, including 70% of high court judges, 54% of top journalists and 54% of CEOs of FTSE 100 companies. Statistic 2: the UK’s leading employers target an average of only 19 universities. Source: Fair Access to Professional Careers. Source: The Russell Group

  8. Aim 2: Combating Stereotypes Challenge: • Negative connotations of manufacturing • Gender stereotypes • Dismissal of Russell Group universities • Degree value

  9. Aim 2: Combating Stereotypes • Manufacturing is wrongly seen as a low-skill, dirty occupation

  10. Aim 3: Developing Relevant Skills Young people need to be more work-ready “Eight in ten businesses don’t believe school leavers are ready for work and say more should be done to help them prepare for employment” - Federation of Small Businesses 22 August 2012 Relevant skills: • Leadership • Teamwork • Interview • Presentational • Marketing • Problem-solving

  11. Aspirations - Proposals • Careers Days • Dragons Den Competition • Business Visits • Constituency Essay Competition • Student Mentoring Scheme • Universities Days • University Visits

  12. Progress so far - LSE • Half-term tours of the School • School open days March and June 2013 • ‘A Day on Campus’ • Taster course for Year 12 students • Tour and series of short lectures • Organised in association with University of London • Can arrange similar with UCL and Imperial College • LSE participation in University Day in Stourbridge

  13. Progress so far - Oxford • Commitment to a programme for teachers • Run jointly with Cambridge • Aims to train teachers in: • Offering course selection guidance to pupils • Delivering careers advice to pupils • Programme for pupils • Run through Oriel College

  14. Next Steps Would schools nominate one representative each to contribute to Raising Aspirations taskforce? • Identify needs of different year groups and tailor content • Agree plan • Inform parents & students • Margot to secure sponsorship • Materials • Transport • Mentors • Margot to access universities & businesses

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