Connexions Cornwall and Devon is initiating a new scheme which aims to raise standards amongst careers education and guidance (CEG) practitioners in the region's schools and colleges.
Connexions Cornwall and Devon is offering bursaries to cover registration fees for teachers/tutors to take part in an accredited programme to aid their professional development in the complex task of helping young people make decisions about their future.
The initiative is in response to Government proposals which identified the importance of good CEG but which also raised concerns about the adequacy of current provision.
The programme allows participants to work on-line, at their own pace, using work based practice research. In all nine bursaries have been taken up by schools and colleges in Devon and Cornwall with a further ten being offered next term.
Connexions Cornwall and Devon's, director of development Shaun Newman, said "All of this comes at a crucial time, as the Government's proposals set out in their green paper 'Youth Matters', indicate that schools and colleges will in the future be required to meet rigorous standards in the field of providing information advice and guidance to their students."
"The modules have been designed locally with the involvement of practitioners and follows in the area's long tradition of providing excellent teacher training." Shaun added.
Vanessa Hammond at Plymouth College of Further Education is one careers adviser who has taken up the offer of a bursary. She said, "Many practitioners have been asking for a standard like this for many years as a way to monitor and improve the quality of careers education and guidance delivered to young people. I'm looking forward to starting the programme and believe it will be of enormous benefit to myself, the college and its students."
Jacqueline Vaughan, careers coordinator at Westlands School and Technology College in Torquay is also taking part in the programme. She adds, "The training bursary will enable me to progress with developing my understanding of careers advice and guidance and I am very excited about being chosen. Not only has it given me the opportunity to study through a university and gain a recognised careers qualification, it has also inspired me to progress onto further courses once I have completed this one to enhance my knowledge and understanding further."
The development programme is accredited by the University of Derby's Centre for Guidance Studies who are leaders in this field. Participants can gain accreditation in a number of areas:
- training undertaken to support the enhancement of skills, knowledge and competency in the delivery of CEG
- application of learning in the workplace gained through training
- reflection and review of service provision within the workplace
- the application of evidence based practice/research to support the development and enhancement of services for students
Organisations interested in the applying for the next series of bursaries should contact Connexions curriculum support coordinator Sue Eynon on 01566 777672 for further details. | 
