# Introduction

Successful transitions – whether from lower secondary to upper secondary; at age 16; into work-based training or university; or into work at any age – are life-enhancing for individuals and crucial to our future social and economic well-being. They are also an indicator of a good school. Careers education and guidance (CEG) is therefore at the heart of a school's personal development programme and all teachers have a role in securing successful transitions for their students.

This course is designed to help teachers in secondary schools support students in planning their futures in learning and work. It assumes that you, the teacher, are working in a team with your school's careers co-ordinator and are involved in:

- teaching careers lessons as part of your school's personal development programme;

- taking part in work-related learning activities which help students prepare for working life; or

- supporting students in planning their transition into, through and out of the 14–19 phase.

It does not try to turn you into a specialist careers adviser, but aims to give you the competence and confidence to provide students with informed help and to refer them to specialised information and guidance when they need it.

Find out more about studying with The Open University by visiting our online prospectus.

OpenLearn - Careers education and guidance
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