Careers guidance service helping adults take next step
The Next Step website is part of comprehensive support programme, which also includes face to face and telephone services, offering advice to…
The Next Step website is part of comprehensive support programme, which also includes face to face and telephone services, offering advice to people looking to improve their careers and employment prospects.
Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning minister John Hayes, said:
“Making the right decisions about our skills and careers isn’t always easy. Empowering learners means informing them, but even making the decision to seek out information and advice is a hurdle that some find difficult to surmount.
“I believe that everyone should be able to access information and advice about careers. Next Step is the right service to be helping people achieve their goals and improve their work prospects in these difficult times.
“I am looking at options for bringing together guidance resources for young people and adults, in an all-age careers service, and we will act as soon as resources allow. Next Step is an important achievement on the road towards that destination.”
Next Step offers independent and impartial help and advice about careers, skills and the labour market. It provides information about courses and financial support, data on labour market trends, and detailed information about occupations. The service is a core part of the Government’s strategy to put learners at the heart of a flexible and responsive skills system.
The website will include a section called ‘My Next Step’ where people can access a personal record of the qualifications they have achieved, their CV and organise their plans for learning and career development.
The website will also include a skills assessment tool to help people identify their strengths and skills gaps, and decide what kind of skills or courses they need to gain to achieve their career goals.
These resources will also be available by telephone and face to face, with additional expert guidance from professional careers advisers.
Notes to editors:
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For more information on Next Step visit www.direct.gov.uk/nextstep or speak to an adviser on 0800 100 900 between 8am-10pm 7 days a week, or visit a Next Step centre in a location near you.
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Next Step has over 400 locations across England, a national freephone telephone service and an interactive web service.
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The service has over 3000 careers advisors in place to help across the 400 locations.
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Next Step is available to all adults aged 19 and over, (or 18 and over if a Jobcentre Plus customer) in England
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Careers services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Devolved Administrations.
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The Skills Funding Agency funds and regulates adult further education skills in England. It is responsible for channelling funding swiftly, efficiently and securely to further education colleges and other providers, primarily in response to customer (employer and learner) choice on programmes. It will operate through customer focused services: National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), National Employer Service and Next Step.
- BIS’ online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Notes to Editors
Contact Information
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Name Joanna Fletcher Job Title
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