Aligned with the government’s careers strategy announced earlier this month, comes an inquiry on careers, education and guidance. The inquiry will look into:

• The quality and impartiality of current provision
• How careers advice in schools and colleges can help to match skills with labour market needs
• The role of the new Careers and Enterprise Company and its relationship with other bodies such as the National Careers Service
• The balance between national and local approaches to careers advice
• Careers advice and apprenticeships
• The potential for employers to play a greater role in careers advice.

This is the first inquiry from a new parliamentary committee – the Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy – which has been formed from the existing select committees on Education and on Business, Innovation and Skills. The new committee will examine issues around education and skills, and how they impact upon business and the economy.