National all-age Careers Service launched - People Management ...

A new National Careers Service has been launched by the government today, which will offer work advice and learning information to people of all ages.

The service will ?transform careers advice? in the UK by combining highly-trained advisers with an interactive website, said the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The government estimates that the programme will handle up to one million telephone advice sessions?annually and at least 20 million online sessions.

Face-to-face guidance for up to 700,000 adults per year will be provided in a range of community locations, offering tailored information on the local labour market so people are aware of their area?s growth industries.

The website provides tools including a CV Builder and a Skills Health Check, designed to help people identify their strengths and address their weaknesses.

Online users will also be able to open a Lifelong Learning Account, providing personalised advice on skills, careers and financial support.

Launching the service this morning, skills minister?John Hayes said: ?With competition for jobs more fierce than ever, now is the time to introduce a careers service that will deliver on its promise.

?The National Careers Service, universally available to people at all stages of their careers, has the very best interactive tools on its website and the highest-quality advisers, committed to the noble cause of helping others fulfil their aspirations,? he continued.

?Making available the right advice at the right time and in the right places is to strike a blow for social mobility, social cohesion and social justice.?

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) welcomed the new initiative, and reported that 42 per cent of 2,000 people it recently polled felt that they were falling behind in their careers.

Petra Wilton, director of policy and research at CMI, said: ?According to the government?s own labour market projections, we are set to see a rapid growth in management jobs over the coming decade. It is critical that aspiring managers understand what employers need and are given quality advice about how they can improve their skills to boost their career prospects.?

The CBI added that the business community had?the appetite to play a bigger role in careers advice.

?We need to inspire people, especially young people, about career options and all the job opportunities that are open to them,? explained Neil Bentley, CBI deputy director-general.?

?But, for the?National Careers Service to be truly effective, it must have a programme of continuous engagement with businesses to ensure that impartial careers advice and guidance is always up-to-date and relevant.?

The National Careers Service replaces Next Step, which has been providing careers advice for adults since August 2010.

It does not specifically address the careers advice offering in schools, but it is open to all ages and hopes to provide guidance for up to 370,000 young people each year.

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