Pupils ‘not prepared for world of work’

A new online survey of over 700 decision makers from British businesses found that just 32% think schools are doing enough to develop skills such as self-management, communication and teamwork.
98% believe these are important skills which school leavers need as they enter the workplace.

PSHE education is the curriculum subject focused on developing these skills, yet the government has declined to make it compulsory in English schools. 85% of business leaders surveyed agreeing that the subject should be on the national curriculum.

These findings come as a government-funded expert group released a report calling for business and education leaders to work together to develop and accredit a PSHE curriculum which schools could use to prepare pupils for the world of work.

77% of business leaders surveyed supported the idea of an award developed by business and education to accredit employability skills learnt in schools.

PSHE AssociationChief Executive Joe Hayman, who chaired the expert group, said:

“Business and education leaders share the aim of ensuring pupils are prepared for the world of work. Now we need David Cameron to listen to business and make the subject part of the national curriculum.

“We don’t expect government to do it all, however. Today’s expert report and business leader survey show an appetite amongst business and education leaders to work together on this issue and an award for employability skills developed in PSHE could be one way to do so.

“A nationally-accredited award would help school-leavers demonstrate they are work-ready and businesses to ensure they can recognise young people who can add immediate value to their business. This could be complemented by local school-business partnerships and work experience schemes.”

Last week the Prime Minister told the CBI annual conference that Britain needs “an education system that turns out people with the skills necessary to do the jobs that we’re creating in our country today”.

Piers Linney, Entrepreneur, founder of charity Work Insight and star of Dragons’ Den, said:

“Young people need more than just an academic education – they need support in understanding, developing the skills for and experiencing the world of work and for that to happen we need to take seriously PSHE education.”