Starting young

JOB ADVICE: The world of work is tough, and the sooner the kids find out about it the better. At least that seems to be the idea behind a new trend in Britain, where ten-year-olds are being coached in writing CVs and learning to use PowerPoint and Excel. Younger children are being told to be realistic about their career prospects.

The careers advice programme was developed by Hays Recruitment, whose consultants are currently teaching it in 100 British primary schools. The agency says its aim is to help children value education and prepare themselves for the workplace.

Sarah Rudd, headteacher of Newall Green primary school in Wythenshawe, Manchester, is enthusiastic about the programme. “Aspirations for some people in our area are low, and there aren’t role models for them,” Rudd told The Guardian. She said that the programme encourages children to think about something other than gangs and drugs. “This is about planting seeds early on that make children want to carry on in education and take up all the opportunities offered to them. By talking to them about their careers, they understand that they will have to go to university to get some of the jobs they want.”

Ed Balls"It is too late for children to start thinking about careers at 14"

Martin Best, who directs the programme for Hays, says young children can and should learn about working life. “This is getting children to think about what careers are open to them and what they want to do in life. At a young age, they might want to be Superman. It’s about bringing that into reality.”

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, disagrees with the programme. He says schools should concentrate on teaching children basic skills such as reading and maths rather than telling them how to write CVs. “It also sounds cruel to tell them to think realistically about their careers,” Seaton comments. “At their age, the world should be their oyster.”

Schools secretary Ed Balls, however, supports the programme. “We know it is often too late for children to start thinking about [their careers] at 14,” says Ball, who is responsible for the British government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families .