A transformation in information, advice and guidance services was kicked off in October 2008, with a prospectus called Shaping the Future, launched by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
By 2010, it envisages a universal service that can help everyone in to work to advance, and those out of work to get the skills they need to get and keep a job.
The new service will be driven by local partnership working across different services and organisations.
It will, for the first time, combine skills and training information and advice, with practical guidance on how to overcome the full range of barriers people face in getting on in life, such as finding childcare, housing, health and understanding employment rights.
A universal adult skills health check will be available as a web-tool , supporting everyone to access the help, support and encouragement they need to advance in their lives, particularly those facing redundancies.
The need for a universal advancement service was identified in the Leitch Review of Skills and the service has been under development for some time. The credit crunch means that this service is even more crucial.
MLA is playing an active role on the national stakeholder group that’s contributing to the development of the service . We have won significant recognition that libraries have an important role to play in supporting the new service.
For more information, please get in touch with me, Natasha Innocent, Senior Policy Adviser Learning and Skills
natasha.innocent@mla.gov.uk