FUTURE OF A PROFESSIONAL CAREERS SERVICE

That this House believes that professional, qualified and independent careers advisers are a vital resource for the country, particularly at a time of challenging employment opportunities; welcomes the Government's proposals for a new all age career service in England to be delivered by 2012 but regrets the major cuts to existing Connexions services before the new service is established; is concerned that the skilled workforce of careers professionals are lacking certainty about their futures and is alarmed that up to half of the careers workforce and vital employer and course databases could be lost during the transition phase; and urges the Government to work with schools, colleges and local authorities to ensure that effective transition planning and guaranteed finance will be delivered to ensure that a strong careers guidance network remains in place across the country.