High Peak Liberal Democrats

Today's [Wednesday] Education Select Committee's report into careers advice in schools backs plans put forward by Liberal Democrat business spokesperson, Gordon Birtwistle, to give children professional careers advice from Year 8 onwards.

Gordon Birtwistle introduced a Ten-Minute Rule Bill on the issue last year and is hoping to secure a backbench debate in Parliament shortly.

Commenting on the report, Gordon Birtwistle said:

"To build a stronger economy and a fairer society, we need to give young people the skills and advice to get on in life and find the right jobs.

"It's not rocket science. We need real, face-to-face careers advice for children from the age of 12, delivered in schools by experienced professionals.

"We have this in Burnley, where I've been working closely with an independent careers advice service called the Positive Footprints Network. That's what I want to see in every school."

Background

1. Gordon Birtwistle started out as a teenage craft engineering apprentice and went on to work as a machine shop engineer before setting up his own engineering firm. Before entering Parliament he was leader of Burnley Council and a councillor since 1982.

2. The Positive Footprints Network is a careers advice service that operates in Burnley, run by Lesley Burrows. They run a 'Job Junction' where children can receive advice, learn about work, see what jobs are being advertised locally and practice interviews.

1. For more information, visit: http://www.positivefootprints.co.uk/