30/10/08 National Advancement Service - Break down barriers to work

A radical new advisory service will combine skills and training advice with practical guidance for people on how to overcome the barriers they face in getting on in life, Skills Secretary John Denham set out.

For the first time, the adult advancement and careers service (AACS) will provide a one-stop-shop for those seeking training and help into work but who also face problems in areas like childcare, money matters, housing and disability issues.

Publishing a prospectus setting out how the new service will develop, Mr Denham announced the names and locations of ten prototype advisory services across England whose work will inform the launch of the AACS in 2010.

The service, which will be freely available to all but targeted at those most in need, will play a key role in boosting social mobility - empowering people to access the opportunities they need to realise their ambitions, improve their lives and those of their families.

Mr Denham believes that although for most people, information about training courses and skills development is easily accessible, many such as the low paid and unemployed continue to face barriers which hold them back.

Previous research has shown that many people face significant barriers to accessing opportunities to get into and on at work. These include:

• Women seeking to return to work after having a child who cannot find suitable childcare at an appropriate place and time: 41% of mothers cite time due to work and 74% cite time due to family care as the largest barrier to training;
  
• Those with full time caring responsibilities: an estimated 1 in 5 carers have left or turned down a job because of caring responsibilities;
  
• Employees of small firms which can find it hard to provide skills development support for its staff.

More Sussex news here.