MPs have accused the government of a “lack of action” to improve careers guidance after a select committee report found that provision was still poor in many English schools and threatened to impede social mobility.
Unlike many European countries, careers advice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is offered as part of the curriculum, at least at secondary level. Other states and territories deal with the subject in different ways.
According to a new report by European education information body Eurydice, guidance is provided in three main forms across the continent: as a compulsory part of the curriculum; through a school’s careers guidance service; and through an external provider.
At secondary level, in countries such as Poland, Sweden and Portugal, careers guidance is offered through a school careers service.
Some countries, such as Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, offer careers guidance entirely through external services.
At primary level, the most popular form of careers guidance is as a compulsory part of the curriculum, with 11 countries and territories offering this, including Scotland.
Will Martin