Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that all 18 year olds leaving school have the skills to prepare a high quality CV.

The Department publishes statutory guidance (for schools which sets a clear framework for the provision of careers advice and guidance. The guidance, which is available at www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/440795/Careers_Guidance_Schools_Guidance.pdf sets out how every school should engage with local employers and professionals to ensure real-world connections are in place to prepare young people for working life. These activities could include speakers from the world of work, mentoring, workplace visits or help with basic career management skills like CV writing.

The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) continues to make excellent progress. Its Enterprise Adviser Network is brokering links between schools, colleges and employers in 36 Local Enterprise Partnership areas; with 60 Enterprise Coordinators and 400 Enterprise Advisers working with schools and colleges to support their careers and enterprise provision. In March 2016 The CEC announced 33 successful bidders to its £5m careers and enterprise fund. This £5m investment from government will boost provision for nearly 250,000 young people across England in 75% of the areas the company has identified as ‘cold spots’. In addition, the company is working to create a new generation of high-quality mentors to help teenagers fulfil their potential.