§ Mr. CatonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future structure and objectives of the Careers Service in Wales. [85089]
§ Mr. HainThe recently published Education and Training Action Group report proposes the establishment of an all-Wales all-age careers information, advice and guidance service by April 2001. Under this proposal, the existing Careers Service companies would be branded together as 'Careers Wales' and would take on responsibility for providing careers information and guidance to adults as well as to young people. The ETAG report also suggests that there may be advantage in reducing the number of Careers Service companies and re-aligning their boundaries to match those of the four economic regions of Wales. These proposals will be for the National Assembly of Wales to consider.
147WThe objectives for the Careers Service in Wales were set out in 'Requirements and Guidance for Providers' (March 1995), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. These objectives covered the initial five year contracts of the Careers Service companies in Wales. Objectives for future years will be for the National Assembly to determine.