Employers will be drafted into classrooms to speak directly to pupils to better inform them about the career choices, the education secretary announced today.

Nicky Morgan told the Commons that a new company has been established that will act as a broker between schools, colleges and business to develop relationships and improve careers guidance for pupils across the country.

As part of the plans, the government will also publish destination data on previous students from further education colleges including their salaries after their course to help young people make more informed decisions about their futures.

“I am clear that schools and colleges have a broader role to play in preparing young people for adult life,” Ms Morgan said.

“That’s why the new careers and enterprise company will encourage greater collaboration between employers and schools, helping schools and colleges access a wealth of experience to inspire young people about the possibilities of the world of work.

“This will benefit young people across the country and ensure they leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain. We know that the ultimate success of our long-term economic plan for this country rests on their shoulders and we are backing them every step of the way.”

Ms Morgan added that the costs for the new company and its operations would be met from the £20 million announced by chancellor George Osborne in last week’s Autumn Statement.

From that, a £5 million investment fund would be created, she said, to support innovation and stimulate good practice around the country.

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt welcomed the announcement but said it did not go far enough.

He also seized the opportunity to criticise the government’s education policy on careers which he said had “systematically undermined” young people’s preparation for the world of work.

“It’s the dismantling of careers advice that stands amongst this government’s greatest crimes,” he added.

“Famously you get more careers advice as a prisoner than as a school pupil under this government. Today’s announcement is perfectly welcome so far as it goes, but, to be frank, even for this government it is pretty undercooked.”

Related stories: 

School careers advice is “nothing less than appalling”, college leader claims - 18 November 2013

Out-of-date careers advice stifling children’s job hopes, new report claims - 4 February 2014