Education minister 'determined to tackle outdated snobbery towards apprenticeships'
Schools will be expected to promote vocational options for post-16 education, including apprenticeships, on an equal footing to academic routes, under plans announced by the government.
Apprenticeship providers and staff from colleges will visit schools to talk to pupils about apprenticeships or other technical and professional education (TPE) routes.
Stating that it would legislate at its 'earliest opportunity', the government believes some schools are currently unwilling to recommend apprenticeships or other technical and professional routes to any but the lowest-achieving pupils.
Education secretary Nicky Morgan, said: "I'm determined to tackle the minority of schools that perpetuate an outdated snobbery towards apprenticeships by requiring those schools to give young people the chance to hear about the fantastic opportunities apprenticeships and technical education offer.
"For many young people, going to university will be the right choice, but for other young people the technical education provided by apprenticeships will suit them better."
The plans come amid a drive by government to increase numbers of apprenticeships to three million by 2020.
Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges (AoC), added: "We know some schools are not providing information on the full range of options. The new legislation will mean schools will be required by law to collaborate with colleges, university technical colleges and other training providers to ensure young people are aware of all the routes to higher skills and the workplace, including higher and degree apprenticeships.
"We have long been calling for an improvement to the system and welcome the changes outlined. Colleges recognise the critical nature of good careers education and will be very keen to continue to work together with their local schools. This announcement will make that a reality," he added.
More information about the legislation is expected to be set out in the forthcoming careers strategy.
A consultation also opened this week on apprenticeship targets for public sector bodies in England. The consultation proposes an amendment under The Enterprise Bill to the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 to allow targets for apprenticeships to be set for public bodies in England.
It proposes that public bodies with 250 or more employees should have a minimum of 2.3 per cent of their headcount start each year as apprentices.
"We set high expectations for large and small businesses in the private sector to employ apprentices. We want to ensure that the public sector is a model employer in this regard, leading by example and employing a significant proportion of apprentices to develop a skilled workforce for the future," the consultation document said. The consultation period will end on March 4.