New all-age careers service to launch in England in 2012

Skills minister John Hayes has set out a vision for the first all-age careers service in England, which will be fully operational by April 2012. Before then, young people aged 13-19 and adults will be able to begin accessing new arrangements for careers guidance from September 2011 in the first instance. The new careers service will build on the best of Next Step and Connexions and provide a fully joined-up service for all age groups for the first time.

John Hayes said: “Informed learners are empowered learners. The right guidance at the right time not only helps young people and adults to progress in learning, but also increases their confidence and motivation to succeed. Careers guidance is at the heart of increasing social mobility, and a vital part of the machinery of social justice.”

The all-age careers service will be founded on the core principles of independence and professionalism. Schools will be under a legal duty to secure independent, impartial careers guidance for their students, but will be free to decide how best to support young people to make good careers choices.

In response to recommendations of the Careers Progression Task Force, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education will be working closely with advice professionals, schools and colleges on how best to revitalise the professional status of careers guidance.

John Hayes added: “Everyone knows that impartial advice is always the best advice. But that independent advice must also be underpinned by professional expertise. I want to re-professionalise the careers service and create an environment in which careers guidance is recognised for the important public good it is, in which young people, adults, schools, colleges, universities and whole communities see its value, use it and invest in it. I am calling on the careers sector in England to rise to the challenge of implementing the new all-age careers service.”

John Hayes made the announcement during a speech at the Institute of Careers Guidance (ICG) annual conference in Belfast.

The full speech can be found on the Department for Business Innovation & Skills website.

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