Plotr.co.uk, the independent, not-for-profit careers website is re-launching today with the support of more than 130 employer partners.
The new look Plotr aims to provide inspiration and tailored guidance to young people aged 11-24 in a way no careers service has done before. A key part of the refreshed site will be the integration of the UK’s first, free, online, psychometric careers assessment game to help young people match their personality, interests and skills to real and relevant careers.
The game assesses user traits across seven key areas of character and will go on to provide inspiration on a range of careers 11-24s may enjoy and links to companies that can offer these roles.
A number of employers, including EDF Energy and O2, have been involved in the site redevelopment and will supply information, insight and advice on real world careers. The platform will also be available to every secondary school and college in the country as a tool to help support teachers in delivering statutory careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG).
Plotr now includes more than 700 career profiles. From robotics and nanosystems engineer to digital marketing executive and web developer and even tattoo artist and biscuit buyer, there is information available on almost every possible career including pay scales and qualification entry requirements.
For brands and organisations, the enhanced platform provides a chance to engage with young people in more than 4500 schools via on-site employer profiles, employer worlds and job alerts. This content along with employer work experience, apprenticeships and job vacancies are mapped into the psychometrically-driven user journeys.
Katya Verdonck, Head of Recruitment Delivery at EDF Energy who is backing the new site said: “Employers clearly have a role to play in inspiring students to consider a wide range of careers, and Plotr is a way of getting young people involved in a useful and exciting way. EDF Energy’s commitment to a sustainable future is only possible if we have generations inspired to study science, technology, engineering and maths-based subjects. In particular, we need people who will be able to work on a new generation of nuclear power stations. Plotr is something we think will get young people inspired and excited about the opportunities that scientific careers can hold for them in the future.”
Chief Executive of Plotr, Jim Carrick-Birtwell, said: “Jobs are evolving fast and they should inspire and excite all young people. With relevant and practical knowledge of the current jobs market, employers are well placed to provide that inspiration and ultimately, help young people make informed choices at key decision milestones. The new Plotr site, driven by its psychometric brain, is an incredibly valuable tool in bridging the gap between education and business, whilst providing a new way for employers to connect with future talent.”
The re-launch follows multiple reports by experts, including the CBI, calling for improved careers guidance and the government’s transfer of responsibility for providing careers guidance to young people onto schools.
As part of the re-launch, a marketing campaign is being conducted to encourage more teachers to use Plotr as a tool to unlock careers inspiration in the classroom and link students with potential employers.
Jim Carrick-Birtwell continues: “Teachers tell us that they need more support in delivering careers advice. Our aim is for Plotr to become a first port of call for teachers looking to inspire their students about the career options available.”
Plotr originally launched in 2012 to complement individual advice available from teachers and the National Careers Service and has grown significantly to become a key destination for careers inspiration. The information included on the site is researched and compiled with the support of industry and government. The game was developed building on Holland Codes theory to create a unique psychometric assessment and utilizing Cronbach’s α (alpha) theory to evaluate reliability.
