Shortly after coming to power, the government moved to cut the £200 million a year funding for national network of Connexions and passed legislation making schools responsible for delivering impartial and independent careers advice services to students.
Since then, a number of high profile reports, including from inspectorate Ofsted and the Education Select Committee, have attacked the quality and consistency of careers advice provision.
Now a survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) of its members has revealed that only five per cent think careers advice has improved in their schools, while 46 per cent say things have gotten worse.
The study of 350 teachers and lecturers also found that 78 per cent think there is not enough time in the curriculum to give careers guidance to students and that schools do not have enough funding for careers advice.
The National Careers Service was launched by the government to offer careers information, but currently it only offers a website and telephone service for young people, with its face-to-face services reserved for adults. The ATL survey found that 60 per cent of teachers want to see face-to-face careers support for young people and 69 per cent think that work experience should be compulsory. This comes after the government axed the requirement for work experience at key stage 4.
Other reasons given by respondents for the lack of quality careers guidance include a lack of employer links and a lack of knowledge among teachers.
Nansi Ellis, ATL assistant general secretary, said: “Teachers want to provide high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance, but this isn’t possible unless the government plays its part. Young people deserve more support than they are currently getting – this means a return to face-to-face support from dedicated careers experts and time spent with employers.”