The gap between school and employment
Can industry mentorships help students navigate this uncertain journey?
The path from school to a career is far from straightforward. And it is even more complicated for those who lack resources, academic support or insider networks to lean on. An Ofsted study shares that, without support, these young people could continue claiming out of work benefits till the age of 27.
Here’s why.
Even when these students stay in school, the lack of clear career guidance is a challenge.
Schools are expected to prepare students for the future but good career education is hard to deliver. Teachers report limited capacity to offer careers guidance alongside academic priorities, and many schools lack trained careers advisers. Guidance becomes limited to the occasional talk or one-off event rather than sustained, meaningful engagement.
Importantly, access to employers isn’t easy. Organising work placements, employer talks or mentoring opportunities require more resources than schools can manage, especially in areas with fewer local industries. Ofsted notes that without these interactions, careers education risks becoming abstract. Students hear about options but can’t connect them to real opportunities.
The impact is significant. Many students leave school without a clear sense of direction, and a substantial proportion report feeling unprepared for their next steps. According to new UCL research, one in seven young people is not in work, education or training at the age of 23.
Tutorfair Foundation believes that this where tutoring makes a critical difference. One-on-one support or tutoring in small groups can add months of additional progress. Feedback from our students reflects deeper understanding and stronger core skills in Maths and English. Students find they are able to cross academic thresholds. The secret sauce is connection. Our 15,000 volunteer tutors, experts in their fields of study are also mentors to students, guiding and motivating them towards the finish line.
The success of our volunteer tutoring programme pushes us to ask if the same can happen with career education.
As Peter Kirby, erstwhile Director, Tutorfair Foundation says, “We are social creatures. We can only stand on the shoulders of the giants who have stood before us.”
When schools struggle to deliver career education, should we be looking outside schools for solutions? Should we be opening up to industry mentorships at scale to build a bridge between education and the world beyond it?
Imagine a web of sustained, meaningful relationships between students and professionals who can bring careers to life, offer hands-on experience and create the networks that students lack.
Exciting? We think so.
Preparing young people for the future isn’t only about what happens in classrooms but also about connecting them well to the world they’re about to enter.
Read more about how Tutorfair Foundation supports students in their journeys. And, follow us LinkedIn for updates.