Why careers guidance matters
Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, but the right advice and support can make a big difference. Careers guidance helps you explore your interests, understand your options, and make informed choices about education, training, and employment.
How careers guidance can help you:
- identify your strengths and interests
- explore different job roles and industries
- understand qualifications and training routes
- plan for apprenticeships, supported internships, or further education
- build confidence for the world of work
What support is available in school and college?
Careers guidance starts in year 7 and continues through to post-16 education. Your school or college will provide careers advice and help you plan your next steps.
If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you will be able to discuss your employment goals at your annual review and you'll be supported to identify the provision that you need to help you.
The Gatsby Benchmarks
Schools and colleges have to follow the Gatsby Benchmarks, which are a framework of eight standards:
- A stable careers programme
Every school and college should have a structured careers programme that is regularly evaluated and shared with students, parents, and staff.
- Learning from career and labour market information
Students should have access to up-to-date information about jobs, skills, and pathways, including local and national labour market trends.
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
Careers guidance should be tailored to individual needs, ensuring equality and inclusion for all, including SEND learners.
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
Teachers should highlight how subjects connect to real-world careers, helping students see the relevance of their learning.
- Encounters with employers and employees
Every student should have multiple opportunities to meet employers, learn about work, and understand different roles.
- Experiences of workplaces
Students should experience the workplace first-hand through visits, work experience, or virtual placements.
- Encounters with further and higher education
Students should learn about all post-16 and post-18 options, including colleges, universities, and apprenticeships.
- Personal guidance
Every student should have access to impartial careers advice from a qualified adviser at key transition points.
To learn more about Gatsby Benchmarks, please visit:
Gatsby Benchmarks - Home
Next steps
Speak to your school or college careers adviser for more information.
Additional support
Finding the right career path starts with good information and support. If you have already left school or college, in Derbyshire there are a range of options to help you explore your future and access guidance tailored to your needs:
Derbyshire Careers Service - Careers Workshops
Free workshops to support you into work, self-employment, or into a new career. The workshops are available to all Derbyshire residents aged 19 and over.
YES Derbyshire (Youth Employment Support)
A one-stop-shop for young people aged 16 to 24, offering access to training and careers advice and guidance. It's a joint initiative between Derbyshire County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The support has been officially launched to provide a gateway for young people to access a range of support services to help move into employment or training.
Futures for You
Expert advisers who can support you with basic skills training, qualifications, including English and Maths, accessing specialist wellbeing services, job search, applications and preparation.
Useful resources
National Careers Service
Offers job profiles, skills assessments, and careers advice for all ages.
EMCCA Careers Hub - East Midlands Combined County Authority
Sharing resources to support parents and carers.
The Careers and Enterprise Company Resource Directory
Sharing resources to support parents and carers.
Job Help
Information and advice on finding work and the support available for people with a disability or health condition.
Career skills and training
Search for courses and find information about the help available.
Mencap - Work and skills
Work and skills support and advice for people with learning disabilities.
Work and claiming benefits (Scope UK disability charity)
Help for people with a disability to prepare for and find work, including advice about benefits, reasonable adjustments, and employee rights.
You can also find lots of useful information and resources relating to apprenticeships, or supported internships, which prepare you for the world of work through structured, work-based learning, in our dedicated Post-16 Education and Training section.