Employers should teach young children about careers, says Milburn

Employers should play a role in teaching primary-age children about work, according to Alan Milburn, the author of a major report into youth activity in the UK.

Milburn argues that children as young as four should begin learning about careers, suggesting that early exposure to the world of work could help shape young people's understanding of future opportunities well before they reach secondary school age.

Part of a wider push on youth engagement

The recommendation forms part of a broader examination of how young people in the UK engage with education, training and employment pathways, an area that has drawn increasing policy attention amid concerns about youth disengagement from work and study.

By recommending that employers themselves take an active role in career education at such an early age, the report points to a shift away from leaving career guidance solely to schools, instead encouraging direct engagement from businesses as part of children's early education.

The proposal is likely to prompt discussion among educators, parents and employers about the appropriate age and format for introducing children to concepts related to careers and the world of work.