This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Wendy Alexander announces creation of one stop shop for skills
11/01/2001
A new national all age careers guidance service in Scotland was announced by Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Wendy Alexander today.
Ms Alexander said:
"Scotland will have a bold new solution to put us at the forefront of the best careers advice - for every Scot whatever their age, their background or their ambition. We want all Scots to be ready for an age where our personal prosperity - what we earn, as individuals, and as a nation, depends on what we learn.
"I have pledged that all Scots should be ready for tomorrow's jobs so 80 organisations will be brought together in to 22 (one in each local area) to provide a better service for people of all ages."
The new service called 'Careers Scotland' will:
- Sweep away the clutter and put the client first
- Bring 80 organisations together under Careers Scotland brand with 22 local organisations
- Deliver new national standards backed by national service guarantees
- End private company status and replace with a meaningful national voice
There will be additional investment of £24 million over three years (25% real terms rise). We will transform the current fragmented and cluttered landscape of careers services, adult guidance and education business links.
The one stop skills advice shops will bring together four bodies - Careers Service Companies, Adult Guidance Networks, Education Business Partnerships and Lifelong Learning Partnerships in each area.
The new organisation, Careers Scotland will be closely aligned with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to provide the necessary links with lifelong learning opportunities and the jobs of tomorrow.
These proposed changes will now go out to an eight week consultation.
The announcement is the Executive's response to a review of the Careers Service that was established in October 1999 by then Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Henry McLeish.
The review committee was chaired by Barbara Duffner, Head of Personnel Performance (North) at Royal Mail.
Announcing the changes in Edinburgh, Wendy Alexander said:
"Our promise is to make every Scot ready for the jobs of tomorrow. Today we put in place the machinery to help make that a reality. In a world where none of us can expect a job for life we need to do better at preparing Scots - all Scots not just school leavers - for the jobs of tomorrow. With a falling population it is all the more important that Scotland has world class services to tap the talents of all our people. A confident and ambitious Scotland needs confident and ambitious people.
"That means raising our game to tackle real problems:
- variability in the quality of careers guidance
- the lack of a consistent performance framework
- too many organisations cluttering the landscape
- poor information about the real skill needs of the Scottish economy and employers.
"For too long government just kept adding to the clutter - and the result - too many bodies tripping over each other and leaving school leavers, parents, other job seekers and employers confused about - where to go and who to go to for help in today's fiercely competitive jobs market.
"Careers Scotland will provide a client focused, easily accessible service that can offer the best advice to all Scots. Impartiality of advice will be fundamental. For the first time headteachers across Scotland will in future know what quality of service they can expect in their school.
"Careers Scotland will be Scotland's careers champion. It will deliver "all age" guidance. For the first time there will be a national voice for all key stakeholders such as schools, colleges, employers and unions.
"In future skills will be at the heart of all we do. Our review of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise is leading to a strengthening of their commitment to learning, skills and employability.
"Our plans will provide a stability and predictability of funding that is not possible with the current organisational and contractual arrangements. As employees of a national organisation (the Enterprise networks), staff can expect more opportunities for personal growth and development. The structure has to support the staff - if the staff are to deliver for their clients.
"There is much detail to be decided. We plan for a year from April 2001 to April 2002 to work through the details of the transition. We recognise the professionalism and commitment of Guidance Staff - and we want to build on it.
"I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank Barbara Duffner and her Review Committee for their excellent report that highlights a number of very positive recommendations. We accept entirely its analysis, vision and future direction.
"The Scottish Executive is dedicated to making Scotland a leader in skills. Learning today for the jobs of tomorrow is the currency of the 21 st century."
News Release: SE0028/2001
11 Jan 2001