New interactive careers and learning tool launches
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03 October
2011 - BIS
A
new free online service, launched today, will help people to get
improved access to jobs and career development opportunities.
Lifelong Learning Accounts will empower adults to take more
control over their learning by providing clear information and advice
on skills, careers and financial support all in one place.
Account holders will have free access to a number of online
tools, including:
- A skills diagnostic tool to identify their
interests, strengths and
needs
- Localised course and job searches
- A CV builder
- An ‘eligibility checker’ to identify Government
funding available to
them
- A facility to store all their personal learner
information – CVs,
skills tests, job and course searches – in one easily accessible place
they can share with a careers adviser.
Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John
Hayes said:
"Lifelong Learning Accounts will encourage individuals to
learn, and keep on learning. I want the accounts to help build a
national community with the desire to seek out knowledge and skills and
invest in their own success.
"All young people and adults should have the chance to learn
and to excel in their chosen skill, getting into work and progressing
in their chosen career."
As well as improving access to careers information and
personal data, the accounts will encourage users to link up with other
learners to share knowledge and experiences. Account holders will be
signposted to relevant learners’ forums and communities via social
media such as Facebook and Twitter.
The accounts will also enable training providers to respond
better to what learners want and help careers advisers to deliver
targeted advice and support based on an individual’s interests.
The Lifelong Learning Accounts offer will continue to develop
in 2012 and beyond to provide account holders with the information they
want in a way that best suits them.
Notes:
1. For more information on Lifelong Learning Accounts and to
sign up for an account, visit direct.gov.uk/lifelonglearningaccount.
2. To watch the FE & Skills Minister John Hayes talk
about Lifelong Learning Accounts visit http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/topstories/2011/Oct/lifelong-learning
3. Lifelong Learning Accounts are available to all adults
(aged 19 and over) and 18-year-olds or over who are Job Centre Plus
claimants or offenders in the community.
4. The Government’s ambition is to sign up 1 million account
holders by the end of 2012.
5. Lifelong Learning Accounts will also help existing learners
progress including those undertaking apprenticeships. Funding for
Apprenticeships in 2010-11 was £1.3bn, and has been increased in
2011-12 to over £1.4bn, sufficient to train 360,000 apprentices.
Overall, this Government will deliver at least 250,000 more
Apprenticeships over the SR period than the previous Government had
planned.
6. BIS is the major sponsor of WorldSkills London 2011 because
skills are a key driver of growth. Lifelong Learning Accounts will be a
way of ensuring the learners of tomorrow will excel.
7. The new accounts are accessible through the Next Step
careers service website and will be available via the new National
Careers Service when it launches in April 2012.
About the Author
© Crown Copyright. Material taken from the BIS Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Reproduced under the terms and conditions of the Click-Use Licence.
