Local MP welcomes launch of National Careers Service

 

Rory has welcomed news of the Government’s launch of the National Careers Service, a major new service that will ensure accurate information and professional advice is available to all interested in learning and subsequent employment. The service will be accessible online, by telephone, and via webchat, and for adults aged over 19 there will be face-to-face sessions available in local community locations such as village halls, community centres, libraries and FE colleges. It is estimated that the service will be able to handle 1 million helpline calls from adults and 370,000 from young people, and 20 million hits on its website. It will also be able to give 700,000 people face-to-face advice each year. Information will be available on apprenticeships, and the Government’s flagship training programme allowing you to earn whilst you train; courses offered by Further Education colleges; Higher Education programmes of study; funding for learning, including grants, loans and other awards; and learning available with private training providers.

Commenting on the new scheme Rory said:  “High quality careers advice services should be readily available to all: often there is much confusion surrounding what is available, especially in the field of training and apprenticeships, and so I very much welcome this move from the Minister, and in particular applaud his understanding of the obstacles to accessing information that are common in rural areas. This will be recognised by the locating of information services in pre-existing local venues, such as town halls and community centres, which will also benefit our local communities by increasing traffic through these important meeting places.”

Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Training, John Hayes, commented: “I want the new service to take advice and guidance out across the country, so that it is visible and available in as many places as possible – from inner cities, to rural villages.”

For more information about the National Careers Service, go to www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

 

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