Importance of starting careers learning early
“Children can only aspire to what they know exists...”
As identified in the recent research published by Teach First and Education and Employers, career-related learning hopes to “tackle the kind of career stereotypes and narrow aspirations that tend to form in the primary years before lasting into adulthood”. These stereotypes include establishing that there are jobs only suitable for men and women separately, creating gender gaps in the future as apparent in STEM careers. At KidZania we actively work in joining the dots and building the bridges to ensure every child is treated equally, in an inclusive environment offering all the possibilities regardless of background.
Read more about Ger Graus and the importance of raising aspirations for children.
We asked our school children, majority were Year 6, whether they think women can do the same jobs as men and a resounding 94% said yes! Their reasons for agreeing were largely due to that “Everyone is equal” and that “Gender doesn’t affect your job”. We found that 55% of girls visiting us had taken part in jobs relating to STEM including working in the Hospital, Fire Service, Nintendo Labo and Shell Service Station, giving them hands-on experience and applying their STEM subject learning as if in real-life. Whilst girls were more likely to choose English related careers that require communication skills especially in the Newspaper activity, boys were just as likely to choose them too.
“Because my mum said we are all equal”
KidZania has joined forces with the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) who recently launched their Education 2030 project and are supporting their mission to create a “new learning ecosystem that offers a broader education” to prepare children for the changing world ahead of them. By making learning visible, whether as a reporter in the TV Studio or performing surgery on a pet, we encourage children to develop on future life skills such as financial literacy, communication, creativity, collaboration and self-knowledge. We test their resilience and social values through practical, experience-based learning.
We’re excited at the prospect of all primary school children having a structured career-related learning in addition to the Careers Strategy 2017 implemented by the Government for secondary schools. We believe that understanding how their education at school will be important for their future careers should be taught early and to equip them with an environment that promotes creativity and to make choices in life based on their own beliefs, values and personality.
To find out more about our school’s program, email our team on schools@kidzania.co.uk