Careers in Crisis: How AI and Data Empower Humans to Deliver Quality Careers Guidance and Destinations

The careers landscape is under real pressure. New expectations from Ofsted, Skills England, and the DfE,  along with updated Gatsby Benchmarks, mean schools and colleges must evidence stronger links between careers guidance, curriculum intent, and learner progression.

Meanwhile, work experience models are changing, shifting from one-off placements to more flexible, skills-based experiences aligned with local employer needs.

All of this comes at a time when learner numbers remain high, but dedicated careers staff and budgets are increasingly stretched.

In this session, David Bartlett (Purlos) and Kate Lou (Pro Excellence Partners) unpack what these changes mean in practice, exploring how AI and data can empower staff, not replace them, to deliver more meaningful guidance, track destinations more effectively, and support every learner with limited resources.