New Gatsby Benchmarks for ITPs: Elevating Careers Guidance for Young Learners

Independent training providers (ITPs) are set to adopt the government’s Gatsby Benchmarks starting September, marking a significant shift in careers guidance for 16 to 18-year-olds. This initiative aims to ensure all young learners, including those with education, health, and care plans up to age 25, receive high-quality careers education.

What’s Changing?

Private providers will now be "strongly encouraged" to:

• Offer meaningful workplace experiences.
• Facilitate employer encounters.
• Develop a board-approved, structured careers programme.

Background

The Gatsby Foundation introduced these eight benchmarks in 2014 to standardize careers advice. Initially for secondary schools, the framework expanded to colleges in 2018 and now includes ITPs, reflecting their growing role in the education sector.

Key Updates to Benchmarks

1. Stable Careers Programme: Requires a board-approved plan with a trained leader and parent engagement strategies.
2. Labour Market Insights: Providers must integrate current labour market data, with special considerations for SEND learners.
3. Personalized Support: Advises tracking learner participation from initial contact.
4. Curriculum-Careers Links: Encourages demonstrating how subject skills apply to various occupations.
5. Employer Encounters: Mandates at least two meaningful interactions, including one within the curriculum.
6. Workplace Experiences: By 18, learners should have at least one substantive workplace experience.
7. Further Education Encounters: Now explicitly includes ITPs as key providers for young people.
8. Personal Guidance: Recommends one-on-one careers advice sessions by age 18.

Why It Matters

This update aims to standardize and enhance careers guidance across all educational settings, ensuring every young person has access to real-world employment insights and opportunities, regardless of their learning environment.