Talking Jobs

Talking Jobs is a high quality easy to use video resource designed to help people of all ages to explore peoples' lives through their work using a series of 32 in-depth questions. A wide range of people - from butcher to barrister - are all asked the same set of questions about their work, experience of school, training, family background and aspirations.

This resource works for independent users in the FE sector, next steps centres, in college or at home and as a teaching resource for secondary schools. Lesson plans for KS 3 and 4 careers teaching are also included.

For young people thinking about their opportunities Talking Jobs is aligned with the aims of the Jan 09 white paper on aspirations and attainment. The key driver is in understanding that many young people lack diverse connections with people outside their immediate neighbourhood.

In piloting a lesson plan entitled Stereotyping: Have you got an attitude? (KS 4) four out of 16 students answered the question 'What was the most significant thing you have learned from today's session?' as follows:

• It doesn't matter what your family background is, you could do anything.
• Even successful people have poor backgrounds.
• Even if your parents aren't in a good job this doesn't mean you can't get a good job.
• The jobs sound very different to the people that are actually in that career.

Talking Jobs works for independent users in college, in centres, at home and as a teaching resource for secondary schools. Lesson plans for KS 3 and 4 careers teaching are also included.