New integrated adult careers service launched Monday, October 4, 2010 - 10:07

Through the Next Step service, all adults - regardless of their circumstances and level of qualification - will be entitled to one free face-to-face interview with a qualified careers adviser, and further on-going support on the basis of individual need. The new service will also offer universal access to telephone and online support channels.

NIACE's work shows that there is a high level of unmet need for high-quality, impartial careers advice and guidance among adults. During this year's Adult Learners' Week, calls to the Careers Advice helpline increased to 4,739, representing a 51 per cent increase to Careers Advice calls. The biggest spike occurred on the day that Adult Learners' Week supplements were published in The Sun and The Times newspapers.

Helen Plant, Senior Research Officer at NIACE, said:

"The launch of the integrated adult careers service is good news for adult learners. With many people continuing to face a difficult labour market over the coming months, the need for universally available, high quality advice on learning and work tailored to individual circumstances, has probably never been greater."

NIACE is keen to see how links will be built between Next Step and other careers advice services such as those embedded in learning, third sector provision, and the work of union learning reps and Community Learning Champions.

Helen Plant, Senior Research Officer at NIACE

"The challenge for the new service will be to ensure that it is genuinely accessible to all adults, including people facing the most complex barriers to learning and employment. NIACE is keen to see how links will be built between Next Step and other careers advice services such as those embedded in learning, third sector provision, and the work of union learning reps and Community Learning Champions."

Siobhan Neary, Deputy Head of International Centre for Guidance Studies University of Derby (iCeGS), said:

"The launch of the Next Step service will provide a fully universal dedicated careers service to adults in England. This service has the potential to ensure that all adults can have access to high quality career support, enabling them to effectively manage lifetime career development in a way that is appropriate to them; through face to face, telephone and web resources. iCeGS is particularly pleased that the value of advice offered by highly trained professional advisers is being recognised and promoted."