UNISON survey reveals careers meltdown

A survey by UNISON, the UK’s largest public service union, reveals a desperate picture of the careers service for young people in England heading for meltdown. A staggering 97.3% of local authorities are set to make cuts to Connexions services this year*. Some areas of the country will see their careers service close down completely, with up to 8000 advisers set to lose their jobs nationwide. The survey also shows that some local authorities are flouting their statutory duties to provide careers guidance**, with 50% rated as poor in terms of compliance with statutory duties. This spells danger for the government’s ultimate aim of establishing an All Age Careers Service by 2012, which will be hindered by a lack of transition planning, and the huge drain of expertise out of the careers service, as well trained Connexions advisers lose their jobs. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Youth unemployment has hit a record high, with more than one million young people out of work. But all across the country, the Connexions advisers with the expertise to give young people the help they need, are losing their jobs – this makes no sense.“Local authorities have a duty to provide careers services – but these cuts mean many are flouting their responsibilities to young people. The government says it wants to set up an all age careers service by 2012, but young people need help now. The all age service will ultimately suffer from this brain drain, as well-trained Connexions advisers lose their jobs in their droves.“We are calling on the government to stand by young people in their hour of greatest need, by showing their support for the Connexions service. Ministers urgently need to reveal the careers budget for schools and instruct local authorities to keep services running, pending transition to the new service.” The UNISON survey coincides with the Tory-led Education Bill, which lays plans for the all age careers service, currently making its way through parliament. Amendments to protect the careers service have been laid by MPs to be debated at Report Stage (May 11th) in the House of Commons.Key findings from UNISON Branch Survey*Is your local authority making cuts to careers services? In 2008/09 – 49.3% made cuts to careers servicesIn 2009/10 – 57.3% made cuts to careers servicesIn 2010/11 – 97.3% are making cuts to careers services **How effective is your local authority in keeping up with their statutory duty to give careers guidance? Effective – 24.4%Fair – 28.8%Poor – 50% Regional examples Connexions Cheshire & Warrington - the number of careers advisors, community advisors and youth workers in each area has been cut in half. East Sussex – the whole service is set to close in August 2011.Essex - No one-to-one advice now available. The service will play a consultancy role, with only four people to cover NEET advice for the whole of Essex. Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral – in all these areas, cuts will see the end of school careers guidance services.In Lewisham there will be no Connexions service for young people. The replacement service will only target those deemed most in need; i.e. those NEET for 20 weeks or more and only those young people in schools who are statemented.