The Government is planning an all-age careers service in England - to be introduced in September 2011 and established by April 2012. The Government have failed at every level to show any leadership over the changes. They have failed to produce guidance on how the transition from Connexions and current contracts of work with adults to the new service will be managed. This is needed to ensure that service levels to young people are maintained, and that statutory duties required of local authorities are not breached. On current projections at least half the current workforce will lose their jobs – more than 8,000 staff, with cuts ranging from 25% to 90% across some areas of the country.
We are asking you to Sign Our Petition, and contact your MP/Councillors about this outrage. Cutting such a vital service when there are nearly a million young people unemployed makes no sense. We owe it to the next generation to offer them the help and support they so desperately need. Losing skilled staff in this sector, in the face of record youth unemployment and education fee hikes, will result in a lost generation, with nowhere to turn. In order to find out more about our campaign and to download model letters please go to this link.
http://www.unison.org.uk/education/connexions/pages_view.asp?did=12657
To find out more about the joint campaign with Careers England, the Institute of Careers Guidance, the National Connexions Network and ASCL please go to the above link or contact Denise Bertuchi at d.bertuchi@unison.co.uk or ring 0845 355 0845
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