The publication of the Gatsby Foundation’s report, 'Good Career Guidance: The Next 10 Years', marks a significant milestone in the field of careers education in England.  

Skills Builder Partnership is pleased to have been part of the review, which reaffirms the transformative impact of the Gatsby Benchmarks and sets an ambitious vision for the decade ahead. Since their introduction over a decade ago, the Gatsby Benchmarks have become the cornerstone of careers education in England, shaping how secondary schools and colleges approach careers guidance. This thorough review reinforces the importance of developing learners’ essential skills in a structured way, and highlights the Universal Framework as the model to teach and assess essential skills. 

It is important to celebrate the success of the Gatsby Benchmarks in the 10 years since the original report. Since 2017, with the incredible efforts of the Careers & Enterprise Company and Careers Leaders and teachers across the country, average Benchmark achievement has risen from just under two to nearly six out of eight. This is significant given the link between greater number of Benchmarks achieved, and reduction in the number of young people falling out of education, employment, or training.

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Universal Framework & Gatsby Benchmarks

The Skills Builder Universal Framework was launched in 2020 as a complement to the Gatsby Benchmarks, with Sir John Holman, author of the Benchmarks, chairing the taskforce that brought the Framework together. With the Benchmarks focused on the inputs of a great careers programme, the Universal Framework helps to ensure that learners are also equipped with the essential skills to seize their careers opportunities. 

As such, we particularly welcome the report’s emphasis on promoting uptake of the Universal Framework, recognising the importance of a common approach. The Universal Framework provides a clear and structured way to develop eight essential skills: Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Staying Positive, Aiming High, Leadership, and Teamwork. The report makes a compelling case that essential skills are a cornerstone of good career guidance.  

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Case study: Southmoor Academy  

The report includes a case study of Skills Builder partner Southmoor Academy who show just how effectively building essential skills and delivering an excellent careers programme go together. 

Southmoor Academy has seamlessly integrated the Universal Framework throughout subject teaching for all ages, finding opportunities in every lesson to integrate essential skills learning. This approach ensures that pupils not only gain academic knowledge but also develop the key skills needed to thrive in their chosen paths.

By aligning the Universal Framework with the Gatsby Benchmarks, Southmoor Academy creates a robust model for careers and skills education. The Gatsby Benchmarks provide a structured, evidence-based framework to ensure pupils have access to high-quality careers guidance, including exposure to workplaces, employers, and further education opportunities. Complementing this, the Universal Framework ensures that pupils are equipped with essential, transferable skills—such as Problem Solving, Teamwork, and Staying Positive—that are vital for success in both education and employment.

Together, these two frameworks create a cohesive and comprehensive approach. While the Gatsby Benchmarks emphasise meaningful encounters and informed decision-making, the Universal Framework develops the foundational skills that empower pupils to make the most of these opportunities. For example, when pupils engage with employers (Gatsby Benchmark 5), the Universal Framework equips them with communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships and showcase their potential. Similarly, experiences of workplaces (Benchmark 6) become more impactful when pupils can apply the problem-solving and leadership skills fostered through the Universal Framework.

This dual approach not only bridges the gap between education and the working world but also ensures inclusivity, helping every pupil—regardless of their background—build the confidence, knowledge, and skills to realise their ambitions. By leveraging the strengths of both frameworks, Southmoor Academy is setting a new standard for integrating careers and essential skills into education, empowering pupils to succeed in an ever-evolving world.

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Achieving Benchmarks

The Universal Framework supports schools and colleges implement Benchmarks 4, 5 and 6: 

• Benchmark 4: Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers: The Universal Framework bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application, helping students see how their classroom experiences translate into career pathways. This connection not only builds engagement but also empowers students to make informed decisions about their future. Statutory Guidance already shares that essential skills should be built across the curriculum, with the Universal Framework providing the model of how to do that.
• Benchmark 5: Encounters with Employers and Employees: By providing a shared language for discussing essential skills, the Universal Framework enhances the impact of interactions between young people and employers. Use of a common language improves the dialogue on how essential skills are used and valued in the workplace.
• Benchmark 6: Experiences of Workplaces: Many schools and colleges are already using the Universal Framework to prepare students for workplace experiences, ensuring they can identify,articulate and develop their essential skills. Indeed, the Framework is recommended for supporting T-Levels and design of apprenticeship standards already.

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Looking Ahead: A Shared Mission

Building on the significant progress of the Gatsby Benchmarks over the past 10 years, the Gatsby report highlights the evolving needs of learners entering the labour market and underlines how effective essential skills development supports quality careers education. The Gatsby Benchmarks have already transformed careers education in England, and with the increasing adoption of the Skills Builder Universal Framework, we’re excited by what the next 10 years will bring. 

Working together, we can give young people the best chance to succeed. We invite our partners across the Partnership to explore the report, reflect on its findings, and join us in championing essential skills as a fundamental part of good education.