Gender stereotypes reversed thanks to primary careers education 

• Girls show increased interest in traditionally male-dominated industries
• Teachers are better equipped to tackle gender stereotypes and biases
• Parents improve understanding of how stereotypes restrict their children’s job choices.  

A pioneering careers education pilot by The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) is breaking down gender stereotypes among primary school children. Insights from the second wave of the three-wave initiative, which engaged over 89,000 children across over 400 schools nationwide, reveal a notable shift in career aspirations, particularly among girls. 

Key findings include: 

• A 30% increase in girls’ interest in careers in Business and Finance, with notable rises in Sport and Fitness (15%), Digital (14%), Law (13%), and Construction and Building (8%). 

• 87% of teachers reported fewer pupils limiting their career aspirations due to gender stereotypes. 

• 83% of teachers said their pupils had increased confidence about having equal access to jobs and careers  

By the age of six, children often hold assumptions about “appropriate” jobs for their gender. The pilot, which will run until March 2025, aims to directly address this, enabling children to explore diverse career options and challenge traditional biases. In Wave 2, schools saw a 20% improvement in girls’ career knowledge, alongside a 50% larger increase in their understanding of employer expectations and salary insights bringing them on a par with boys' knowledge levels. 

The wave empowered not just pupils but also the adults guiding them, mirroring initial findings from the first wave.  

• 91% of employers that participated were strongly committed to continuing to engage with local primary schools. 

• 76% of teachers said their senior leaders are now engaged in careers education. 

• 60% of schools incorporated careers education into their curriculum (up from 18%), and 54% established formal careers strategies (up from 10%).  

The initiative brings together primary schools across the country into CEC’s Careers Hubs, where they are provided with support to deliver employer encounters. Teachers are also provided with training delivered by education charity, Teach First to support them in developing and delivering careers programmes. Over two and half years, the pilot will reach hundreds of thousands of pupils, fostering a future where children are not confined by stereotypes but inspired by possibilities. 

Oli de Botton, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “Young children often have big ambitions for the future, but stereotypes can hold them back. This pilot shows that building links between primary schools and inspiring employers makes a difference, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

By introducing children to relatable role models from the world of work and showing them how school subjects connect to real-world jobs, we can encourage them to dream big and achieve their full potential.” 

Russell Hobby, Chief Executive of Teach First, said: “High-quality careers education at the primary level has the power to be transformative - opening doors to diverse opportunities and breaking down entrenched stereotypes for young people. This is particularly vital for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, who often lack access to the same guidance and experiences as their wealthier peers. 

“We’re proud to have contributed to this pilot and to witness the remarkable impact it’s already having on young people, supporting them in taking confident steps towards the bright futures they deserve.” 

A teacher from the pilot said: “This whole school approach has helped to raise the profile of careers, enhance the pupil engagement through visits, given aspirations for our children’s future, made the partnership between families and parents in our community stronger, challenged stereotypes, helped to focus the job roles children are exposed to.”