Vera's homework

Topic: Career advice for children aged 7-11.


Positive

Under the new scheme, it will be easier for children to choose their subjects when they start learning in secondary school. Ed Balls, School Secretary who draw up the plan, said " It is often too late for children to start thinking about this at 14 when they are influenced from when they are seven, eight and nine." Relevant information will be offered to help children find out what areas they are interested in and make the right choice when they start secondary education.

The new scheme also opened various chances for children by using online career advice and guidance to broaden their mind and spot their talent. Older children can receive career advice and mentoring from business people, older peers and others on the Internet. Plus related information will be provided via Facebook, Youtube and through blogs. This can help children to learn more about what's their current situation, how many choices they have and to find out which field they are good at.

Since 75% of 11-year-olds want to go to university in the future, the scheme can help children to be more prepared for future career and nurture them to achieve the best they can. It seems like only children from privileged backgrounds or middle-class families would get more advice from parents and friends who know the university system than children from poorer backgrounds—who always fall short of their ambitions and believe that universities and certain careers are out of reach. Therefore, Career-related learning will be provided for children in certain areas to help them realize what they can achieve. Also there will be end-of-year assemblies which could be used to introduce children to career options, and links will be formed by universities with primaries to get pupils thinking about higher education from early age. The career advice will be provided for children through to the age of 18, as well as every young person will be given access to a mentor who can guide them.


Reference: http://www.thesislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23760520-career-advice-for-seven-year-olds.do
http://news.bbs.co.uk/1/hi/education/8322627.stm