From Connexions to Futures - Who we are, what we do
You may have heard that Connexions is closing at the end of March. This is indeed true and will see the end of the brand ‘Connexions’ nationally due to the removal, across England, of central government funding for this teenager support and careers advice service.
However, the organisation that delivers Connexions locally, ‘Futures Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’, is thriving and continuing to deliver an expanding range of services to young people, parents, adults and businesses in the city and county.
Futures are very proud of our ‘Connexions’ achievements over the past decade, working to help local young people make the most of their lives and ‘aspire and progress’ successfully through education and training into meaningful employment and careers. We are held in high regard nationally for being ‘best in class’ at tackling youth unemployment and keeping down the number of young people who find themselves not in education, employment or training, or ‘NEET’. Our wider support for parents, local educators and employers continues to develop the all-important employability skills that young people need in a competitive labour market.
Some of the services we have traditionally provided through schools are changing:
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Our Connexions Service closes to schools from April 2012. From then, each school makes its own decisions about what employability and guidance support to buy;
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Government subsidies for school work experience have been withdrawn resulting in some schools changing their policy of sending all students on work placements.
This is happening at a time when young people need support more than ever before, to help them make positive steps into education and employment.
Young people are facing:
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High youth unemployment and a highly competitive labour market
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Increases in university tuition fees and in the competition for places
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Increases in the number of apprenticeships, but also more competition as young people look for alternatives to university
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Increased focus on employability skills as well as qualifications from employers and universities
Effective advice and support for young people is vital. Whilst local careers advice and employability services are disappearing in many other parts of the country, the City and County council here are continuing to back this important work through Futures, the not-for-profit organisation that not only replaces Connexions, but also delivers:
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the National Careers Service;
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a complete, all-age, careers and employability advice service;
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work experience and employability programmes, working closely with many local employers;
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free ‘Next Step’ careers advice to adults;
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free ‘What Next’ Fair (October 9th, 10th, 2012);
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free, online ‘career planner’, Passportfolio.com (try it now!)
Futures have also launched many new apprenticeship opportunities through our own ‘Futures Apprenticeship Agency’, giving 16-19 year olds the chance to develop practical skills, achieve nationally recognised qualifications and earn as they learn.
So, although the Connexions brand is disappearing, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Futures is committed to using our local knowledge, expertise and skilled staff to improve the prospects of local young people, families and adults.
As a parent or carer it can sometimes be difficult to know what to do to help your son or daughter to prepare for the challenges ahead. We hope our 'ParentPoint' website will help you to support them to make the most of their lives and progress successfully through education and training into meaningful employment.
Futures also see adults!
We can give careers advice if:
- you've been made redundant or are facing redundancy
- you want to discuss course, job or career ideas
- you want help with your CV
Contact us for an appointment or further information - call 0115 9601597 or email ask@futuresnn.co.uk
