Deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg is backing plans by the Education and Employers Taskforce, the charity wanting to send employees of all kinds into state schools to tell pupils abut their careers.
The charity’s scheme, "Inspiring the Future", launched July 2nd, will give state schools access to the kind of careers advice and first hand accounts offered by many private schools.
Mr Clegg is driving efforts within the government to improve social mobility to prevent children from less well-off families being hindered in life because of their background.
He says: "Too many young people get the message that the best jobs are not for them. Inspiring the Future will give state school students the chance to see, hear and make a connection with someone in a career or job they might not have thought about.
"Today we're calling on doctors, nurses, lawyers, builders, business people, civil servants, farmers, mechanics, engineers and other working people to give up just an hour of their time to talk to students in their local state school about how they got where they are today.
"The power of making connections that inspire young people is immeasurable and can be life-changing. Many successful people can point to a moment in their lives when they were inspired to become the people they are today. Now it's their turn to help young people fulfil their potential."
More support for the scheme comes from public figures as diverse as actress Joanna Lumley, Ivy Restaurant Head Chef Gary Lee and the Apprentices star and entrepreneur Karren Brady.
President of the Association of School and College Leaders Brian Lightman says: "The world of work offers a bewildering range of opportunities for young people. It is immensely important that they have the chance to gain insights early on about different jobs and careers, especially when they cover areas outside their immediate experience."
Confederation of British Industry President, Sir Roger Carr, says: "There is nothing more compelling for young people thinking about their future careers than meeting and speaking to inspirational people who do the jobs they are considering. That is why the CBI is pleased to support Inspiring the Future."
Inspiring the Future may just be what many state school pupils, nervous about their university prospects - if they even plan on attending in the first place - need to reassure themselves that university isn't the be-all and end-all when it comes to preparing for a career.
In fact, they may even decide university isn't for them at all, and instead opt to undertake an apprenticeship. This would offer them the work experience sought by employers these days, together with workplace training, classroom education, an apprenticeship salary ... and in many cases, the offer of a permanent position at the end of that apprenticeship.
