The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance in schools and colleges, developed as part of a 2014 report by Sir John Holman for the Gatsby Foundation. These eight benchmarks are designed to help schools and colleges provide high-quality and effective careers programmes that prepare young people for the world of work.
Over the past 10 years, we’ve been incredibly proud to support the amazing transformation of careers guidance in secondary schools and colleges through Gatsby. Thanks to the dedication of so many passionate educators, the Gatsby Benchmarks for good careers guidance are helping turn world-class careers support into a reality for millions of young people.

There’s so much to celebrate:
- Over 90% of schools and colleges now use the eight Gatsby Benchmarks to measure their careers programs.
- Benchmark achievement has skyrocketed, rising from an average of less than 1.9 out of 8 in 2018 to 5.8 today.
- Young people are feeling more confident and satisfied with the careers guidance they’re getting.
- Schools and colleges achieving higher benchmarks are helping reduce the number of young people who become NEET (not in education, employment, or training) at 16 and 18.
This progress is a testament to what’s possible with a shared commitment to giving young people the best start in life.
It’s essential for businesses partnering with schools to understand and align their programmes with the Gatsby Benchmarks because these provide a nationally recognized framework for delivering high-quality careers guidance. The benchmarks ensure that any engagement with students contributes meaningfully to their career readiness by fostering real-world connections, offering relevant labour market insights, and addressing individual needs. Alignment with the benchmarks not only enhances the credibility and impact of business-led programmes but also helps schools meet statutory requirements and improve outcomes for their students. By aligning with the Gatsby Benchmarks, businesses can create more effective, purposeful collaborations that genuinely prepare young people for the world of work.
Here’s a summary of the benchmarks:
- A Stable Careers Programme
Every school and college should have a structured, well-planned careers program that is shared with students, parents, teachers, and employers, and regularly evaluated.
- Learning from Career and Labour Market Information (LMI)
Students and parents should have access to high-quality information about career paths and the labour market, and be supported in using this information to make informed decisions.
- Addressing the Needs of Each Student
Careers guidance should be tailored to the needs of each student, with an emphasis on promoting equality and overcoming barriers to success.
- Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers
Teaching across all subjects should connect learning to career opportunities, particularly in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
- Encounters with Employers and Employees
Students should have multiple opportunities to learn directly from employers about work, employment, and skills through activities like talks, mentoring, and workplace visits.
- Experiences of Workplaces
Every student should gain firsthand experience of workplaces to help their understanding of the working environment and develop employability skills.
- Encounters with Further and Higher Education
Students should have opportunities to learn about further and higher education options, including apprenticeships and university programs.
- Personal Guidance
Every student should have at least one personal careers guidance session with a qualified careers adviser by the age of 16, and another by the age of 18.
These benchmarks are widely used in the UK as a standard for measuring and improving careers guidance in schools and colleges.
The Solutions for the Planet (S4TP) Youth Insights Programme aligns strongly with the Gatsby Benchmarks by embedding careers education and guidance into its framework. The program supports schools in offering a stable careers program (Benchmark 1) by providing long-term engagement opportunities where students connect with businesses over several years. Through these connections, students gain direct access to up-to-date labour market information (Benchmark 2), learning about industry trends, employment opportunities, and apprenticeship pathways specific to their local context.
The programme also tailors its approach to meet the diverse needs of students (Benchmark 3), including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and ensures digital inclusion for all participants. By linking curriculum learning to real-life career scenarios (Benchmark 4), such as addressing climate change or financial decision-making, and measuring progress with the Skillsbuilder framework, S4TP helps students see how their studies connect to career pathways. Additionally, the program fosters sustained interactions with employers (Benchmark 5) and provides opportunities for workplace experiences (Benchmark 6), allowing students to network, access work experience, and even pursue internships. While not directly focused on further education (Benchmark 7) or personal guidance (Benchmark 8), the programme enables students to explore technical and vocational routes, including apprenticeships, through their employer interactions.
The Big Ideas Programme (BIP) is closely aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks, supporting schools in delivering high-quality careers guidance. It directly contributes to Benchmark 3: Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil by being accessible to all learning types, targeting disadvantaged students, and encouraging diversity while actively challenging stereotypes and raising aspirations. It also meets Benchmark 4: Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers by engaging with teachers across subjects like geography, science, and PSHE, demonstrating how STEM subjects connect to various career pathways.
Additionally, BIP excels in providing students with multiple meaningful encounters with employers and employees (Benchmark 5). Participants benefit from at least four interactions with mentors, significantly increasing their understanding of workplace expectations and career opportunities. While it indirectly supports Benchmark 6: Experiences of Workplaces by fostering relationships between schools and local businesses, it directly contributes to Benchmark 7: Encounters with Further and Higher Education by hosting Regional Finals at universities, often including campus tours or talks. This alignment highlights the programme’s strong commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and experiences needed for successful career planning.
This comprehensive approach helps students develop the skills, insights, and connections needed to make informed career decisions, reinforcing S4TP’s alignment with key Gatsby Benchmarks.