Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine welcomed the launch of the National Careers Service (NCS) on 5th April 2012.The NCS will offer independent and impartial information and advice on learning and work, combining face to face local advice with a new fully interactive website providing for around 370,000 youngsters.
Government Minister John Hayes said: "The National Careers Service, universally available to people at all stages of their careers, has the very best interactive tools on its website and the highest-quality advisers, committed to the noble cause of helping others fulfill their aspirations.
"Making available the right advice at the right time and in the right places is to strike a blow for social mobility, social cohesion and social justice - a society that encourages people from wherever they start to journey to the destination of their dreams."
The NCS will offer face to face advice to 700,000 adults each year in a range of locations in local communities, and provide detailed sector by sector labour market information so people can discover which industries are growing in their area.
The service will also provide tools such as a CV builder and a Skills Health Check on the website to help people identify their skills strengths and gaps, and allow people to open a Lifelong Learning Account, which gives them clear information and advice on skills, careers and financial support in a single, personalised online space.
Model turned Chef, Lorraine Pascale, an Ambassador for the service, said: "After modelling, choosing my next career move was a big decision. I knew I wanted to find something that I was really passionate about, but I tried courses in hypnotherapy, auto repair and interior design before I found the thing that really makes me tick: cooking.
"Having independent careers advice can really help you find the thing you want to do. I'd encourage everyone to make the most of the National Careers Service to find out how to take their career forward, and realise their ambitions."
Record Producer Pete Waterman commented: "I know from my own experience that it's never too late to learn a new skill.
"I learnt to read and write much later in life than many people, but this opened up a whole new world for me. It's one of the reasons why I'm so passionate about helping people to get the skills they need to fulfil their ambitions."
Local MP Steve Brine said: "I am delighted that this really exciting initiative has now been launched and this really is set to be the right advice at the right time. The range of services NCS provide on a number of platforms is fantastic and I will be most interested to hear my constituents' experiences as this rolls out further."
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