IAG EVENT—26 OCTOBER 2009

by Ed Bainbridge  

The event took place on the 26th October 2009 at Old Trafford, Manchester. The event was hosted by the Secretary of State, Sir Alex Ferguson and other endorsers taking questions from an audience of young people, parents and employers. The focus was on presenting ‘headline plans’ for improving Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) for young people.

It showed how IAG is essential to the success of 14 to19 year olds, with business and HE representatives backing the learning options. In particular they wanted us, the young people to feel more informed on the choices available and to be reassured that employers and higher education value a range of qualifications. They also wanted us to feel empowered and inspired about expecting high quality advice and guidance.

The main focus of the event was to look at the wider context and messages about raising aspirations, by challenging the stereotyping of career options and promoting routes of progression. The event also promoted 14 to19 year olds learning options, such as vocational education, diplomas, apprenticeships, reformed A levels and GCSEs. The event started off with an interactive exhibition showcasing the range of options available to young people. We were also able to speak with expert advisers who could tell us more about the choices we might like to consider and how to find out more about them.

This was then followed by a ‘Question time’ style session with the Secretary of State Ed Balls, Sir Alex Ferguson, a University Vice Chancellor and also a high-level business representative. The Secretary of State Ed Balls introduced the event and the other people on the questioning panel. Shortly after this Sir Alex Ferguson provided details of his experiences when he left school and how he became the great manager that he is to day. The audience that asked the questions consisted of Apprentices, Diploma students, A Level and GCSE students and young people in vocational training/E2E. Parents / carers of the young people could also ask questions. From this event I gained a lot of knowledge but also a lot of reassurance about my position within the council and the opportunities I have been given.

The event made me realise how lucky I was to have my job, as a lot of young people around my age haven’t been given the same chances as me. I was also very impressed by the way the questioning panel described how education would be improved, it was good to see that apprenticeships would be taken more seriously in schools at sixth form level and that university isn’t always the best option and you can still have a well paid job without a degree.

But the biggest gain from the whole event was getting Sir Alex Ferguson’s autograph.