A white number 5 on a brown rock background

Benchmark 5: encounters with employers and employees

Benchmark 5 states that: Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment opportunities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes, and could include pupils’ own part-time employment where it exists.

Every year, from the age of 11, pupils should participate in at least one meaningful encounter with an employer.

Definition of ‘Meaningful’ for Benchmark 5

A meaningful encounter gives the young person the opportunity to learn about what work is like, what skills are valued in the workplace, their recruitment processes and what it takes to be successful. Throughout a careers programme, young people should encounter employers of different sizes and specialisms, including the self-employed, that reflect trends in the labour market, regionally and nationally. These encounters could be in person or a combination of in person and virtual, where appropriate. Both the young person and employers should be supported to prepare for the encounter.

A meaningful encounter will:

have a clear purpose, which is shared with the employer and the young person.
be underpinned by learning outcomes that are appropriate to the needs of the young person.
have opportunities for two-way interactions between the young person and the employer.
be followed by time for the young person to reflect on the insights, knowledge or skills gained through the encounter.

The Society is able to support Gatsby Benchmark 5 in the following ways:

Schools and colleges should engage fully with national, regional and local employers and professional networks to ensure real-world connections and meaningful encounters with employers DfE Careers guidance and access for education and training providers, January 2023.