North East LEP launches "ground-breaking" new career guidance tool

A North East organisation has announced that it is launching a new tool to help guide young people into relevant careers.

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is behind the “ground-breaking” pilot project, which will provide schools, employers, educators and training providers with live data on young people’s career aspirations and understanding of the different options open to them when they leave school.

The digital tool allows educators to use current data from pupils at 16 pilot schools to tailor careers guidance and training opportunities for young people in the North East.

The data is gathered through careers interviews with students, who meet with a qualified careers adviser seven times across two academic years, with their feedback being used to shape the guidance they receive.

Neill Willis, regional lead, education challenge, at the North East LEP, commented: “Much of the data regarding young people’s progression that can be used to inform careers education, information, advice and guidance strategic planning is historic, with time lags of up to two years.

“For the first time, we now have up to date data, based on hundreds of students, which we can use to help improve the prospects of young people across our region.

“This data tells us, for example, how many young people want to pursue a career in health and life sciences, how many are interested in higher education or how many need more help in understanding what apprenticeships are and how to apply.

“The data will be used and shared with partners to ensure further guidance and experiences are tailored to fit with their needs.

“Data is collected as students move through year 10 and 11, so it’s not just a snapshot.

“After each interview, the students’ data is fed into a digital tool which collates and analyses it, giving us the ability to see individual information, and regional trends, in young people’s understanding of their possible choices and their post-16 intended destinations.

“This has the potential to further transform careers education, information, advice and guidance in the North East, making it more targeted and impactful, and giving young people the best possible start in their careers, training or further education.”