HC Deb 10 April 2000 vol 348 cc42-3W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to what extent he intends that the role of career guidance professionals will be maintained and enhanced as a result of the Learning and Skills Bill[Lords]. [117781]

Mr. Wicks

Careers guidance will be a core element of the new ConneXions Service for 13 to 19-year-olds. ConneXions Personal Advisers will give careers advice and guidance as part of the comprehensive support to help raise young people's aspirations and overcome barriers to effective learning. The level and mix of skills required of Personal Advisers in the ConneXions Service represent a new profession. A training programme for Personal Advisers will underpin delivery of the new service and will ensure that Personal Advisers have the necessary skills in areas such as intervention, assessment, brokerage and careers advice and guidance.

Existing careers guidance professionals already have some of the skills required for this new profession and the expectation is that the majority will move to this new role. The DfEE will be consulting shortly on the Professional Framework for Personal Advisers and this will play an important part in developing the profession and the new role of Personal Adviser.