The Careers Service in Northern Ireland Is an Integral Part of the Department for Employment

The Careers Service in Northern Ireland is an integral part of the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL). The Careers Service provides an impartial careers information, advice and guidance service to clients of all-ages and abilities throughout Northern Ireland. This service is available to everyone whether they are employed, unemployed, in training or in education; including students in schools and further and higher education. Professionally qualified careers advisers are based in Careers Resource Centres, JobCentres and Jobs and Benefits Offices throughout Northern Ireland.

After a very successful pilot in 2013, A total of 85 placements were carried out with advisers completing an employer placement report and after seeking employer permission, they have disseminated the information gained. Also, now 35 reports are available on the Jobs Trends section of the Careers Service portal on the N.I. Direct website www.nidirect.gov.uk/job- trends .

I would like to offer our thanks again for all your help last year in making it a success. Participating employers have been very positive about the experience and as a result feel that their needs, entry requirements/routes, work roles and current trends have been highlighted to the Careers Service.

As a result of this we are writing to ask if your company would consider becoming involved with this initiative to provide our careers advisers with an industrial placement comprising of 1-3 days (depending on what is most appropriate for you). If you are not in a position to accommodate an industrial placement for a careers adviser(s), we would welcome offers of a short visit to your company by one or more advisers.

We are focusing on placements in the priority and STEM sectors and our preference is to arrange placements/visits for June, July or August 2014. We would, however, be able to accommodate placements/visits at other times of year if this would suit your company needs better.

This initiative aims to provide opportunities for careers advisers:

 to gain a deeper insight/understanding of the skills, attributes and qualifications required in various occupations in priority and STEM sectors.  to enhance their understanding and knowledge of real-life issues in the sector, the business practices involved and the challenges they face.  to increase their knowledge and awareness of various career routes, current trends, job opportunities (both current and future) and job roles in priority and STEM sectors.

All careers advisers have been trained in the interpretation and use of labour market skills and this initiative will further develop these skills. As part of the placement, careers advisers will be required to complete an employer placement report. This will be used as a resource by staff throughout the Careers Service, shared across the Department and with schools and our website-www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers.

The Careers Service feel it is vital that young people in particular are made aware of the skills requirements, progression routes, employer expectations and various job roles in these sectors so that they make informed decisions about their future. This will support the production of an appropriately skilled workforce which meets the needs of NI businesses.

Participating businesses will have an opportunity to raise the profile and appeal of their sector with careers advisers. Placements/visits will highlight employer needs, entry requirements/routes, work roles, and current trends which careers advisers will use in the delivery of careers guidance to young people and adults. Businesses will benefit from the creation and development of an ongoing link with their local Careers Service. Careers advisers will be able to signpost employers to other DEL services where required.

Please be advised that the Department will bear the risk of any claims made against it in relation to this initiative as it does not hold public liability insurance.

I would be grateful if you could complete the attachment above to indicate your position regarding participating in this initiative and return it by e-mail as soon as possible.

If you wish to have any queries, please do not hesitate to telephone 0280 905240.

Regards

Susan Susan Cunningham Careers Policy & Strategy Careers Service Department for Employment and Learning Waterfront Plaza 8, Laganbank Road Belfast BT1 3LY Tel: 028 90905240 Fax: Email: [email protected] ...... Our aim is to promote learning and skills, to prepare people for work and to support the economy ...... people:skills:jobs: Any views expressed by the sender of this message are not necessarily those of the Department for Employment & Learning. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). If you have received this e-mail in error, please use the reply button to tell us and then permanently delete what you have received. Please note: Communications with the Department for Employment & Learning may be monitored in order to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes