Vince Cable: Teachers know 'absolutely nothing' about world of work

Teachers are failing their pupils because they know "absolutely nothing about the world of work”, the Business Secretary has said.

During a speech to representatives from the manufacturing industry, Vince Cable said that teachers are to blame for the poor quality of careers guidance in schools.

He suggested that government schemes to get students interested in apprenticeships are being undermined by the "underlying problem" of the teachers themselves.

A Department for Education source said that Vince Cable’s remarks were “offensive to teachers who work hard every day”.

Mr Cable said: “There has been an argument in Government about how to get the right careers advice in schools and successive governments have frankly messed this up.

“But the underlying problem is of course that most teachers, particularly in the secondary sector, are graduates.

“They know how universities work, they know what you have to do to get an A-level, they know about UCAS forms – but they know absolutely nothing about the world of work.”

"They don't know how to direct people to apprenticeships or traineeships which we're now doing as a first stage for people.

"We're issuing guidance to schools on how they should put in place proper careers guidance in schools linked to the world of work, but we start from a bad place."

Mr Cable's intervention was met with fury from union leaders, who accused him of treating teachers like "scapegoats" and "playing to the gallery".

A Department for Education source said: "This is offensive to teachers who are looking after children and working long hours in trying circumstances. Maybe he should spend more time getting businesses into schools rather than having a go at teachers."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said: “This is a crass remark, which is insulting to teachers who are workers in their own right.

“As the Government’s own survey shows, teachers work an extraordinary number of hours and show real dedication to ‘the world of work’.

"Indeed, the teaching profession mirrors society and many of our teachers come from diverse backgrounds with different life experiences. They are a resource to the young people they teach, not a hindrance.”

A spokesman the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said Mr Cable's comments had been taken out of context.

He said: "The Business Secretary was echoing concerns from industry about the need to improve the quality of careers advice in schools.

"He was making the point that teachers have an important role in making sure their pupils are aware of all options available to them to help them build a career. For some this may be via a graduate route but for others a vocational skill or qualification is more appropriate."