People across England who are not claiming benefits can now access free careers advice through Jobcentres, the UK Department for Work and Pensions has announced.
The new support will allow people to get advice on finding work, changing careers, progressing in their jobs and developing new skills, regardless of whether they receive benefits.
The DWP, in a release on Wednesday, said the change followed the merger of the National Careers Service into the department, with about 500 qualified careers advisers joining the DWP.
The advisers will provide careers information, advice and guidance alongside employment and skills support already available through Jobcentres.
Support can be accessed online, by telephone or through face-to-face appointments at Jobcentres, with the face-to-face service expected to become available later this month.
The DWP said qualified careers advisers would focus on providing in-depth guidance to people facing greater barriers to working or learning, including young people who are not in education, employment or training, those aged under 18 who are not in school or college, and disabled people.
Minister for Employment Andrew Western said:
“Everyone deserves the chance to find secure, meaningful work and build a career – and we are delivering a modern employment service to make that a reality.
“Bringing careers advice under the same roof as the jobcentre will join up fragmented services and enable thousands of people to access joined-up careers advice and employment support.
“This builds on the wider employment support we are already providing young people as well as disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to ensure everyone has the chance to get on life.
“This comes as part of building the new Jobs and Careers Service, a modern, personalised and digitally advanced employment service.”
The Government said the changes were part of wider reforms aimed at providing more personalised employment support.
It said the reforms included £2.5bn in youth employment support, creating almost one million opportunities to earn and learn, and £3.5bn in employment support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
The DWP said people could access careers information and advice online or through its freephone service .
It also said its Work Hub, an AI work assistant, would provide a 24-hour resource offering guidance on career development, job searching and applications.