There have been three new questions added to each Key Stage version of The Future Skills Questionnaire that now replace a single question about job and career interests.
These new questions will align better with government data and the understanding of careers and labour market research. By adding these new questions, we will be able to:
- Improve the quality of data that practitioners can access
- Improve career understanding, helping young people to differentiate between occupations and industries aiding in clearer career planning and decision-making
- Enhance learner career readiness, by reflecting on both occupations and industries, learners gain a more comprehensive understanding of their career interests
- Separately address occupations and industries for further analysis
- Enable practitioners to identify trends and further their understanding of young people's career aspirations in relation to the current job market and employer needs
- Ultimately improve young people’s career readiness, destinations and outcomes.
The three questions are:
What types of jobs/careers fit closest to what you're interested in at the moment?
Learners select from a range of jobs and careers.
What types of industry/sector fit closest to those you would like to work in?
Learners select from a range of industries/sectors.
Please write or describe the main job you most intend to pursue in the future.
An optional free text box that learners can choose to complete.
(You can view the full set of questions for each version of the questionnaire by following the relevant links in this Help Centre article > Questions for each questionnaire type
We have made the decision not to include these new questions in the SEND version of FSQ. Instead, we will be fully reviewing and realigning the wording of the SEND version of FSQ to better meet the needs of learners with SEND who complete the questionnaire.
This is an exciting project, and will involve comprehensive research and feedback from both practitioners and learners. Our primary objective will be to evaluate the relevance, effectiveness, flexibility and inclusivity of the FSQ for learners with SEND.
We are also exploring the development of a standardised parent/carer questionnaire tool that would enable Careers Leaders to take a more data driven approach to parent/carer engagement. We would like to gather the views of SEND practitioners on this.
If you would like to register your interest to support either or both of these projects, please follow the link and complete the Expression of Interest form by Tuesday 1st October.