Preparing for the Future: Careers, Skills & What’s Changing

The world of work is changing faster than ever. At Fuel Education, we want our students and their families to understand what skills will matter most in the years ahead. This blog looks at new opportunities, the Gatsby Benchmarks for good career guidance, and what parents can do to help their teens prepare for their future.

The Gatsby Benchmarks Explained

The UK’s Gatsby Benchmarks are the framework for quality career guidance in schools. They include:

1. A stable careers programme

   
   

2. Learning from career and labour market information

   
   

3. Addressing the needs of each student

   
   

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

   
   

5. Encounters with employers and employees

   
   

6. Experiences of workplaces

   
   

7. Encounters with further and higher education

   
   

8. Personal guidance

   
   

How to Prepare Outside of School

• Explore career tools: Use free platforms like National Careers Service or Barclays LifeSkills to research jobs and skills.

  
  

• Encourage volunteering or work experience: Even short placements help build confidence and transferable skills.

  
  

• Learn digital skills: Coding, digital design, and AI awareness are increasingly valuable — and there are free online courses available.

  
  

• Stay curious: Encourage reading, podcasts, and documentaries that explore different industries and challenges.

  
  

What Parents Can Do in a Tech Age

• Set up a productive home space where students can focus on schoolwork.

  
  

• Talk about real-world applications of school subjects (e.g., how maths links to engineering or finance).

  
  

• Encourage tech use for learning — such as educational apps or research projects — rather than just social media.

  
  

• Celebrate effort, progress, and problem-solving, not just results.

  
  

Helpful Links

1. National Careers Service – Offers guidance on career planning, job profiles, and skills development.https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

   
   

2. Barclays LifeSkills – Provides resources to help young people develop employability skills.https://barclayslifeskills.com/

   
   

3. Skills England: Skills for Growth and Opportunity – A government report detailing sector-specific skills needs and growth opportunities.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-england-skills-for-growth-and-opportunity

   
   

4. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 | World Economic Forum – Insights from global employers on emerging job trends and required skills.https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025