Primary Career-Related Learning

Dorset Careers Hub, took part in the 'Start Small; Dream Big' programme, backed by the Department for Education (DfE) and delivered in partnership with ourselves, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, Dorset Council, BCP Council and The Careers & Enterprise Company.

Starting career-related learning early helps to:

Remove barriers and stereotypes which limit children’s thinking about their future careers
Support delivery of an ambitious curriculum designed to give all learners the knowledge and cultural capital to succeed
Develop understanding amongst children of the link between what they learn in school and the world of work
Increase parental engagement in supporting children to think broadly about future careers
Develop teaching staff to become pioneers and part of a strong community.

Funding for this programme finished on the 31st March 2025.

Primary Career-Related Learning Resources

We have created a range of resources to support your school to develop a career-related learning programme. These include templates, resources and guidance to deliver employer encounters and link careers to offsite visits. We hope you find them helpful!

Dorset Careers Hub Primary Padlet

We have created a Padlet to support career-related learning in school. From curriculum links, to competitions and employer engagement, this helpful resource can be shared with your colleagues.

Dorset Careers Hub - Primary Padlet

Employer Encounters

Offsite Visits

School trips and offsite visits are a brilliant opportunity for a workplace experience. Ask staff prior to your visit if they are happy to talk about their role. Take a look at the guidance and resources below, including our careers bingo templates.

Linking Careers to Transition

Careers is a great way to support with transition to a new year group or school.

Primary Careers Updates

Termly primary career-related learning updates are designed to support primary teachers to link lessons to careers and enable children to explore jobs and skills for the future.

All editions can be downloaded using the links below:

Primary Careers Update - March 2025

Primary Careers Update - January 2025

Primary Careers Update - September 2024

Primary Careers Update - July 2024

Funding for this programme finished on the 31st March 2025. No further editions will be published.

The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) Resources

Access the range of CEC resources using the links below.

Primary Careers Resources Platform

The CEC Primary Careers Resources Platform will help you:

- Embed career-related learning in your school’s curriculum
- Conduct career-related learning activities with your class
- Engage parents and other stakeholders in career-related learning

Whether you're new to career-related learning or have been doing it for some time, the platform will help you develop an approach that will broaden pupils’ horizons. The resources are free for you to download and are from organisations that have been funded to test what works at primary, as well as other trusted providers.

CEC Primary Newsletter

The CEC are continuing to develop their work supporting career-related learning with Primary aged pupils. Sign-up to receive the latest Primary careers related news, resources, guidance and support

Primary Newsletter | The Careers and Enterprise Company

CEC Careers Excellence Seminar Recording

The recent Careers Excellence Seminar from the Careers & Enterprise Company focused on the importance of embedding careers education in primary schools. Experts from education, business, and careers sectors discussed how early career interventions can broaden aspirations, improve transitions, and challenge stereotypes. The seminar highlighted best practices, employer engagement strategies, and the role of schools and employers in ensuring young people are better prepared for the future.

Watch the recording here Careers Excellence Seminar 6 | The Careers and Enterprise Company