HC Deb 20 March 1980 vol 981 cc263-4W
Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made on the proposed new funding arrangements for the training of careers officers; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Jim Lester

My noble Friend the Minister of State discussed the financing of careers officer training with representatives of the local authority associations on Monday 17 March and they have undertaken to consider the matter further.

Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to maintain and improve the status and morale of the careers service.

Mr. Jim Lester

Within the next few weeks the Secretary of State will be consulting all interested parties on a revised version of his memorandum of general guidance covering the performance of careers service functions, issued to local education authorities under section 10(1) (a) of the Employment and Training Act 1973.

At his meeting on 17 March 1980 with representatives of the Association of County Councils and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Minister of State confirmed the Government's intention to provide for a fully trained and qualified careers service, through the issue of appropriate statutory guidance to be included in the revised Memorandum. The effect will be that, from a specified future date, careers officers recruited to the service who are otherwise unqualified and have no previous experience will be required to obtain the diploma in careers guidance within a reasonable period of time following their appointment.

The Secretary of State and the Minister of State have frequent meetings with representatives of the Institute of Careers Officers and take every opportunity that presents itself to meet careers service staff in the field.

On 1 February the Minister of State held a press conference to publicise the report on the careers service 1974–79 which referred to impressive achievements over the last five years, which bear witness to the high level of commitment of Careers Service Staff to helping young people". The Government are assisting careers officers in a practical way by providing funds for additional staff to strengthen the service in work with unemployed young people.

Officials of my careers service branch, in particular the careers service inspectorate, continuously meet careers officers in order to support and encourage them in their valuable work.

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