Career Mark Primary - Guidance Note 3

Teacher Role in Careers Education

As a class teacher, you are likely to be the point of contact for your learners who are just beginning to explore the world of work and their place in it. It is important that you feel supported in this role and have the required knowledge and information to be effective.

  • Self-assessment work helps learners to understand themselves and teaches them a new skill: reflection on their own strengths and weaknesses.
  • Equal opportunities themes help to build understanding of peoples’ roles/challenging stereotypes and appreciation of diversity. In the workplace, perhaps gender is the most prevalent form of discrimination and stereotyping, with ‘men’s jobs’ and ‘women’s jobs’ and continuing theme when discussing work.
  • Group tasks and project work develop some of the major employability skills needed forwork; e.g. team working, self-presentation, presentation skills, independent research, leadership, following instructions etc.
  • Reviewing academic progress helps learners to begin to learn the skills involved in planning ahead; linking self-awareness with requirements of the world of work.
  • Recognizing that work done in and approach to school life is relevant to the future can encourage learners’ motivation and aspiration; setting goals/targets which are realistic and contribute to aspiration.

Minimum competencies for staff in relation to CEIAG

This document is intended to provide some guidelines as to the minimum requirements/competencies of staff to ensure that the indicators for the Career Mark Standards are met

Competencies for staff delivering careers education, and the overall provision of CEIAG

Minimum competencies:

Staff will –

  • Know and understand the aims of CEIAG in the school and its rationale
  • Have undertaken effective training and development in relation to the CEIAG provision
  • Understand the limitations and boundaries of own role and when to refer learners to another practitioner
  • Have a broad overview of options and pathways at age 11 and 14
  • Have a broad overview of Labour Market Information (LMI)
  • Understand what is meant by impartiality in relation to career choice
  • Know how to use CEIAG resources available
  • Have the skills to deliver the learning outcomes of the CEIAG programme effectively
  • Understand the contribution which external partners can bring to CEIAG
  • Have an understanding of the CEIAG programme, be able to effectively deliver the programme and understand how it relates to other areas of the curriculum