Employment

Careers guidance gap hurting young people

A leading expert has warned that the UK's careers guidance system is failing young people, with a lack of investment in high-quality, impartial advice. Dr. Deirdre Hughes said that this issue needs to be addressed in Alan Milburn's final report on young people not in education, employment, or training. The report highlights a system failure, not a failure of young people.

By Ratio Report Editorial 4 June 2026 4 min read Via Guardian Students

Reviewed · 4 June 2026

Key takeaway

The UK's careers guidance system is underfunded and failing young people.

Over 1 million young people are locked out of work and learning.
The government spends £25 on benefits for every £1 directed at employment support.
Careers guidance is often not impartial or high-quality.

The careers guidance gap

You're probably assuming that the government has a solid plan in place to help young people get into work or education. But the reality is that the UK's careers guidance system is severely underfunded and failing young people. A leading expert, Dr. Deirdre Hughes, has warned that the lack of investment in high-quality, impartial careers guidance across schools, colleges, and communities needs to be addressed.

The issue is not just about the funding; it's also about the quality of the guidance. Many young people are not getting the support they need to make informed decisions about their future. This can lead to a lack of confidence and a sense of direction, making it even harder for them to get into work or education.

The consequences of this failure are severe. Over 1 million young people are currently not in education, employment, or training. This is not just a problem for the individuals; it's also a problem for the economy and society as a whole.

What this means for you

If you're a student or young adult struggling to find a job or make decisions about your future, this lack of careers guidance can have a real impact. For example, you might be unsure about what career path to take or how to get the skills and experience you need. Without high-quality guidance, you might feel lost and unsure of what to do next.

The good news is that there are things you can do to take control of your future. You can seek out alternative sources of guidance, such as online resources or careers advisors in your local community. You can also take the initiative to research different career paths and make informed decisions about your future.

It's also worth noting that this issue is not just a problem for individuals; it's also a problem for the economy and society as a whole. By investing in high-quality careers guidance, the government can help to reduce unemployment and support economic growth.

Source

Guardian Students

Read original article

This article is based on reporting from Guardian Students. Ratio Report provides context and analysis for UK students and young adults.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current state of careers guidance in the UK? +

The current state of careers guidance in the UK is one of underfunding and failure. Despite the importance of high-quality guidance, many young people are not getting the support they need to make informed decisions about their future.

Is the lack of careers guidance a problem for the economy? +

Yes, the lack of careers guidance is a problem for the economy. By failing to support young people into work or education, the government is missing out on the potential contributions they could make to the economy.

What can I do if I'm struggling to find a job or make decisions about my future? +

If you're struggling to find a job or make decisions about your future, there are things you can do to take control. You can seek out alternative sources of guidance, such as online resources or careers advisors in your local community. You can also take the initiative to research different career paths and make informed decisions about your future.

Will the Government be addressing this issue in their final report? +

It is hoped that the government will address the issue of careers guidance in their final report on young people not in education, employment, or training. However, it remains to be seen what actions they will take to address this problem.

careers guidance young people employment

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