Monday 18 July 2011

Connexions concerned about support for 'clearing' students


Cuts are currently being made to the Connexions service and this could have a negative impact on A' Level students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are left struggling alone with the post-exams clearing process.

Andy Gardner, of the Institute of Career Guidance, said he had serious concerns about what would happen to pupils who failed to get the results they needed for their first-choice degree course, amid a race for places in the year before tuition fees rise.

Jobs at the organisation Connexions, which helps 13- to 25-year-olds, have been slashed across the country. A survey by the public sector union Unison this year found almost all local authorities in England were planning cuts at careers services, with some – including East Sussex and Lewisham, in south London – closing completely. At least 8,000 advisers were due to lose their jobs.

To address this, the government is reported to be planning a new national careers service... but it is not due to start operating until 2012.

Andy Gardner told EducationGuardian that, "The ICG is very worried about A-level results time. It's really helpful if you can see someone who has seen you before and knows you and your school.

"Unfortunately it's often in the schools that have the most social deprivation where the advice is weakest, and that's going to be exacerbated by the destruction of Connexions."


No comments: