John Denham, Secretary of State of Innovation, Universities & Skills, has announced plans to offer new joined-up services that will provide improved guidance on jobs, skills, housing, finance and childcare.
The adult advancement and careers service will boost the city's skills by giving Londoners access to advice on several issues to help them overcome barriers to success at work. The two pilot services will be opened in London this year. The service will be fully operational across England from 2010-2011.
The first, serving Southwark, Lambeth and Wandsworth, will build on the existing careers services to provide a range of joined up advice, guidance and support, ensuring no-one is deprived of the opportunity to realise their potential. The second pilot, to be developed in partnership with the Mayor, will focus specifically on the challenges facing people who already have a job but want to develop further skills, take more responsibility and earn higher wages.
Skills advice will help everyone, from those in good jobs wanting to improve, to those who need new skills to access job opportunities. The advancement service will identify skills needs through Skills Health Checks; and provide better face to face, online and telephone support to enable people to access advice when and where they need it. A key element of the new service will be a 'no wrong door' approach developed jointly with colleges, the voluntary sector, childcare, health and financial advice services. The agencies will work to high common standards of customer service, offering referrals to more expert advice where necessary.
Announcing the plans John Denham said;
'Getting from a job with few prospects to a good job can be as tough as getting off benefit and into work. People who want to get on need support improving their skills and, often, sorting our childcare, tax credit, housing and other issues. The new joined- up approach to providing advice and support is crucial to overcoming these barriers. We want everyone at work to raise their skills, enabling them to build successful careers in a constantly changing global economy, The new advancement and careers service will provide the practical support that Londoners need to share in the prosperity of this dynamic city.' |
