Business leaders are calling for careers education to begin in primary schools in order to help develop and nurture essential workplace skills.
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has written to Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith asking the Government to support careers engagement for children aged seven to 11.
The letter argues that introducing children to the world of work earlier would help challenge career stereotypes and give them an insight into a wide variety of industries and roles.
Chamber chief executive Stuart Elford wrote: “Careers engagement at an earlier age can also establish a clear link between learning in the classroom and future personal goals, boosting classroom engagement and motivation.
“Early intervention with industry professionals can help to develop and nurture essential workplace skills such as good communication, critical thinking and teamwork.
“From an employer perspective, the chance to engage with KS2 pupils is a critical starting point in developing a pipeline of future talent and developing a diverse and work ready workforce, addressing longer term skills shortages. Such engagement will also allow schools to build sustainable partnerships with employers in the local area.”
The call has come after the Chamber recently published the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), which sets out a blueprint to tackle skills shortages across the region.
Artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital technology have been identified as key priorities over the next three years.
The Chamber’s letter highlights concerns raised nationally in by the British Chambers of Commerce that many schools are unaware of the growth sectors in their local economies or the range of careers available.
It also references a publication which revealed that less than half of young people in England now receive work experience.
The Chamber, which represents more than 1,000 businesses and has led the LSIP for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire since 2022, says skills provision and economic growth are “two sides of the same coin” and that employers need a stronger pipeline of future talent.
The Chamber has also invited Baroness Smith to attend a skills roundtable at its Stoke-on-Trent headquarters on 13 November alongside local MPs Gareth Snell and David Williams to discuss the future of skills and careers education in the region.
