What The Recent Update To The Provider Access Legislation Means for Students
Have you heard of the provider access legislation (also known as the ‘Baker Clause’)? In this article we look at the recent update to the provider access legislation and how it will benefit students across the country.
The provider access legislation is designed to ensure that all students have equal opportunities when it comes to accessing information and resources related to post-16 options. Legislation mandates schools and academies to offer students in grades 8-13 the chance to learn about approved technical education and apprenticeships from various educational and training providers.
Through the Skills and Post-16 Act 2022 the government has enhanced this legislation, pioneering the way for better standards of education in the UK. It strengthens previous legislation by making sure that every school must provide a minimum of six provider encounters. Furthermore, these encounters must meet specific parameters regarding duration and content, ensuring that they are of high quality – an unprecedented step towards better educational outcomes. This is indeed a welcome change and an important step to improving careers information in the UK.
These changes took effect on 1st January 2023 and have far-reaching implications for students. Ensuring that students have more opportunities to learn about their post-16 options and make an informed decision about their future. It also opens up possibilities for exploring different career paths and expanding their knowledge base beyond what they may have previously considered possible.
Additionally, this policy provides students with unprecedented levels of autonomy when it comes to determining their own path after leaving school or college. This extra information will allow them get a better understanding of what is available, before committing themselves fully. Something which could be incredibly beneficial in helping young people decide on their next steps.
To support this, the Department for Education is funding The Careers & Enterprise Company to support schools and colleges to develop careers programmes in line with their careers requirements and the Gatsby Benchmarks. The department also funds the National Careers Service to provide free, impartial careers information, advice and guidance to students, parents, and teachers. Through a website, web chat service and telephone helpline.
This policy shift, grants students more freedom in determining their future, providing them with more resources to aid them in making career choices. We hope young people will be better equipped when deciding on future study or work after leaving school/college due to these changes.
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