Employers should teach primary-age children about work, Milburn says

Emma, from Kirklees, has grandchildren in Years 1, 2 and 4 and thinks primary school is too young to be introducing careers talks.

“In primary school, there is too much trying to get little kids to grow up too quickly,” she says.

“Just let them be little kids. I know they have to learn and the world’s changing, but still, give them a chance to be kids.”

But Zoe, another parent, disagrees.

“I think it’s a good idea,” she says. “It’s something that everyone has to do, so if you learn early, it’s something they don’t have to learn later on.”

Teaching unions have responded positively to the idea of introducing career-based learning into schools at a younger age, but have warned about the burden this could place on primary schools in particular.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), warns of the “significant pressure” already facing primary schools.

“Whenever new mandatory requirements are proposed, it is important to be clear about what might have to give way to make room for them,” he says.

Whiteman also highlights the value of existing programmes such as “Primary Futures”, which bring in volunteers from different professions into schools to “challenge stereotypes and raise aspirations”.

“The earlier young people can begin to make connections between what they learn in school and the possibilities that lie ahead, the better,” Whiteman says.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), says having someone come into the classroom can really “enlighten [children’s] motivation… and give them that sense of passion for all the opportunities beyond the classroom”. Although he acknowledges that finding opportunities in rural areas could be more challenging.