Parents influence the level of education or training that their children achieve; the knowledge they have about work and different occupations; the beliefs and attitudes they have to working; and the motivation they have to succeed. Most of this is leaed unconsciously – children and teenagers absorb their parents attitudes and expectations of them as they grow up.

Some of the key influencers are:

• The expectations parents have for their children's education and career.
• The example they set for their children.
• The values they show to their family, friends and to society.
• The opportunities they offer their children to lea and develop.
• The kind of parent-child relationship they develop.