Spotlight at the National Careers Service
Help at results time
Help at results time just a click away
Exam results time can be an exciting time of year for young people as they consider their futures but for many it can also be a time of uncertainty.
That’s why the National Careers Service is gearing up to advise young people across England about what learning options are available, how they lead to different jobs and what the job prospects are.
National Careers Service adviser Tom Laws said: “The new National Careers Service is more accessible then ever before and has never been better placed to support young people in deciding what their next move should be.
“Our website includes a range of online tools, including a webchat facility so that people can discuss their options at a time and place to suit them. We are also on Facebook and Twitter, offering young people a choice of ways to talk to us.”
The interactive website also provides detailed labour market information, so people can discover which industries are growing in their area, and tools such as a CV builder and Skills Health Check to help people identify their skills strengths and gaps.
With many young people reliant on social media for information, the National Careers Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages also keep people up to date with daily posts providing the latest information about learning options, jobs and careers. People are also welcome to post individual questions to advisers.
For the exam results period, the service is hosting two career based ‘tweet chats’ on Friday 17 August and Friday 24 August, following A Level and GCSE results days. Young people can discuss their options with advisers through Twitter to help them make the best choices for the future.
A free confidential telephone helpline is also available on 0800 100 900 with experienced careers advisers offering unbiased, quality advice tailored to meet the needs of the individual, whatever their age or circumstance.
With young people and those who advise them commonly reporting that it is difficult to find the information they need*, the National Careers Service is here to make sure people get the advice and support they need at this critical time of year and throughout the rest of their working lives.
The service is available online and over the telephone for everyone age 13 and over. In addition to this, schools are responsible for securing access to independent and impartial careers guidance for their pupils, in recognition of the vital role this can play in young people’s lives and the importance of achievement at school in laying the foundations for work and life.
Tom Laws added:
“Exam results can be an anxious time as young people find out what they have achieved and think about which direction to go in next. Some might be pleased with their results while others may be feeling disappointed or confused about what to do next.
“Whatever the outcome, there are options available and help and support at hand. There is a lot to think about so it’s a good idea to take some time to explore different career paths to ensure you make the best decision for you. By contacting the National Careers Service, young people can find out exactly what their options are at a time and in a way to suit them.”
And the National Careers Service is taking to the road this summer with a roadshow to city centre locations across England. The National Careers Service ice cream van will be parked up in a range of cities from Newcastle to Bournemouth, with highly trained careers advisers on hand to support the general public with their skills and training needs. Young people are welcome along to the events in anticipation of exam results or to discuss the next steps for their training and careers. Full details and dates on the tour can be found here: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarticles/Pages/News-SummerTour.aspx
For further help and support, people can speak to an impartial adviser at the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900 or web-chat online at nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk, from 8am to 10pm daily.
The Facebook and Twitter are updated daily with useful careers information and links to the tools that can help you get on in work and life.
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