School leavers want more proactive careers advice, a new poll has suggestedA new poll has suggested that school leavers would welcome increased careers advice from employers and many feel their future job prospects are being ill-served by existing arrangements.

Research by financial services giant Deloitte for the Education and Employers Taskforce found that 95 per cent of 500 teenage participants want companies to take a more proactive approach to providing careers advice.

"This report shows the importance of employers playing an active part in the school curriculum," said Deloitte chairman David Cruickshank. "The involvement of employers, when done properly, motivates, inspires and informs young people."

Asked about their own experience of career tips over the last two years, 42 per cent of those youngsters quizzed said they had had no contact with firms, while 40 per cent had engaged with between one and four potential employers.

Last month, insurance company Endsleigh and thinktank Demos called for a "radical overhaul" in the provision of university careers services.

Posted by Cameron Thomson