There are concerns that many young people have little engagement with the world of work and make post-16 transitions that may not reflect available job opportunities or their own potential. Vocational pathways are often considered to be for low achievers and are not well understood, while subject and career choices remain highly gendered and class-based.

This project aims to explore the nature and extent of employer engagement with secondary schools in Wales. It will focus on what different schools and employers hope to gain from such engagement, how pupils experience employer engagement and whether this influences post-16 transitions.

Methodology

This will be qualitative research, consisting of interviews with:

• Careers advisors
• Key Stage 4 pupils
• Secondary school teachers, with responsibility for careers education

Three schools will be selected as case studies.