Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG)
Strategic overview
Kaplan helps people achieve their educational and career goals. We build futures one success story at a time and aim to make a difference to every learner, inspiring them to succeed.
We provide an accessible, impartial and stable Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) programme that encourages ambition and helps learners achieve their education and career objectives.
Our approach is guided by our values of integrity, support, opportunity, knowledge, and results, treating every learner as a unique individual.
Kaplan draws on government policy, Ofsted guidance, best practice models from the Careers & Enterprise Company, and the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure a high-quality and inclusive careers programme.
Gatsby Benchmarks and statutory guidance
Our CIAG programme is aligned with the nationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks, a framework for good career guidance.
From September 2025, these benchmarks are statutory for:
- Learners aged 16–18
- Learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) up to age 25.
We embed all eight Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure learners receive personalised, high-quality advice tailored to their goals.
Careers leadership
Kaplan has a designated Careers Leader responsible for oversight of the CIAG programme.
Careers Leader: Poppy Laila (Level 6 qualified careers professional)
Contact: careeradvice@kaplan.co.uk
Parent and carer engagement
Kaplan recognises the important role parents and carers play in supporting learners’ development.
- Parental/carer drop-in session: Parents and carers of learners aged 16–18 (or learners on an EHCP) are invited to attend one session during the first three months of the apprenticeship.
- Access to information: Parents and carers can access resources and information about the programme via our website and communications.
- Recording and feedback: Attendance is recorded, and parents/carers are invited to provide feedback to help us improve the programme.
CIAG support throughout the apprenticeship
Kaplan provides careers education, advice, and guidance at every stage of the apprenticeship through:
Careers guidance is embedded throughout the apprenticeship, with all learners receiving support through regular interactions with Talent Coaches and academic support teams
- Recruitment teams: Guidance during the application process
- Talent Coaches: Career goals and development discussions during training plan calls and progress reviews
- Tutors: Insights connecting learning to real-world careers
- Enrichment week: Careers insight talks from sector practitioners
- Career progression microsite: Labour market information and study options
- Virtual learning environment: Career education modules
- Podcasts and articles: Career-related content
- Association of apprentices: Networking and membership opportunities
Additional careers guidance is available for learners who would benefit from further support.
One-to-one careers guidance is provided, including for learners with additional needs (SEND/ALN) and those who require more in-depth careers discussions.
Provider access (Baker Clause)
In line with the Provider Access Legislation, Kaplan supports learners to access information about technical education, apprenticeships, further and higher education, and career progression routes.
This is provided through the career progression microsite and enrichment week talks from industry speakers and sector professionals.
External quality assurance
Kaplan maintains accountability through the Matrix Standard, an internationally recognised quality standard for Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG). We undergo regular review and were most recently re-accredited in October 2025.
Career objectives
Kaplan aims to:
- Deliver an accessible, stable careers programme at every touchpoint
- Use labour market information to keep learners competitive
- Tailor support to individual needs
- Link curriculum learning to career progression
- Collaborate with employers to provide industry-relevant training
- Share insights from the Kaplan Apprenticeship Advisory Panel
- Promote quality CIAG to benefit all learners
Monitoring and impact
We evaluate our CIAG programme by:
- Tracking learner progression and destination outcomes
- Recording parent and carer engagement and feedback
- Assessing the impact of career support sessions and resources
- Using evidence to continuously improve CIAG provision
This ensures our programme remains current, inclusive, and impactful, preparing learners for lifelong success in education and careers.
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