National Professions Week 10 to16 November 2014 Toni Fazaeli, Vice Chair, National Professions Week and Access to the Professions

Aims of Professions Week and Pathway to Professions Conference State of the nation: Expansion in the professions - by 2022, additional 2 million jobs in professional and managerial occupations, share of total employment increase from 42% to 46% (UKCES, 2012) Historically, those from lower socio-economic groups under underrepresented in professional careers Professions, professional bodies and employers increasingly keen to attract young people from diverse backgrounds and have range of routes Increasing access to the professions makes moral and economic sense

Aims of Professions Week and Pathway to Professions Conference cont’d Access to Professions 2014 research young people and parents: perceptions of being a professional generally positive – exciting, freedoms how and when work, greater earnings, more flexible working although could be longer working hours however, most young people do not know anyone from each of key 25 professions those from lower socio-economic groups had statistically significantly lower awareness, aspirations and expectations careers information and advice crucial, yet only 46% 14-18s felt had had meaningful careers conversation in last 12 month, and only 31% for s – aligns with last year’s findings parent’s views similar to their own child’s, and 86% gave some careers advice, but only 13% felt very or extremely confident in doing this The variety of jobs and career opportunities is so different these days with all the technology, I don't know enough about all of the career options available, and don't understand what a lot of the jobs entail. My child has absolutely no idea what she wants to do... though she does know what she doesn't want to do... which is pretty much everything we have discussed so far.

Aims of Professions Week and Pathway to Professions Conference cont’d Professions Week and Access to the Professions: Some 20 leading UK Professional bodies joined together – finance, leadership and management, law, procurement, actuaries etc – more than 1 million members – practising professionals Founded first ever Professions Week 2013 with three purposes - To help: 1) Young people, especially from more disadvantaged backgrounds, consider professional careers 2) Careers advisers and teachers provide very best advice and guidance on professional careers, as well as up-to-date teaching in areas relating to professions 3) Government and public to understand contribution professional bodies make to social mobility and economy and future prospects of the UK We give Range of Information, Events – national and local, Research, Materials and Resources, Animations, Support for Teachers and Careers advisers and much more….. All here have a shared passion and commitment to make a difference – today’s Pathways to Professions Conference will help young people make informed choice about professional careers Good for Access to the Professions and Professions Week to work with Total Professions for the event, and more widely

Careers Advice and What are the Professions Total Professions recent research with Careers Advisers. 34 professional sectors – summaries Total Professions Website Eg animals, art and design, built environment and property, actuarial, education, energy, engineering, finance, health, hospitality, HR, law and legal enforcement, IT and technology, Insurance and banking, leisure and sports, sales, science, statistics, transport and logistics etc 300 professional bodies and a strong UK specialism – standards, initial training and CPD, belonging, ethics, quality and accountability - high quality services to public and B2B

Average ratings out of 10 where 10 is understand very well

I know everything there is to know about Higher Apprenticeships as an entry route I know a little bit about Higher Apprenticeships as an entry route to the professions I've heard about Higher Apprenticeships but know little about them

Other findings Over 80% give advice to those with no family history of higher education Careers advisers advising year olds think their messages are getting through with three quarters of those supported being very or quite responsive Keeping up to date with pathways into the professions is generally ok but one third find it difficult or challenging Careers advisers feel that less than half year olds have access to face to face advice on professional career options from a qualified adviser

What one thing would you like to change relating to access to a professional career for young people? More careers education in schools plus career guidance for all. Genuine access to work experience. More talks by people in professional careers giving talks to schools More opportunities as many young people would look at routes such as higher apps if they existed in our area I think that some young people have unrealistic expectations because of apprenticeships

What would you like from today’s conference – and call to action Knowing more about professions and routes into Make sure you get the most from the great line up of professional bodies and their materials – hard questions please! Networking with professional bodies, and each other Feeling more informed about careers in the professions - and with rich contact list Key new actions you want to take on return

Key Contacts week/ week/