National Careers Service

National Careers Service — How It Can Help You

The National Careers Service provides free, impartial careers information, advice and guidance for anyone aged 13 and over in England. It helps you explore careers, understand qualifications and training options, find courses, develop job search skills like writing CVs or preparing for interviews, and access support when making career decisions. You can use its online tools, call the helpline or chat with an adviser to support your post-16 and future career choices. 

Since the 1st October 2014, the National Careers Service has been enhanced to provide more support to Young People. It is the intention of the National Careers Service to complement, not duplicate any existing provision, so all young people have access to information and advice to help them make informed decisions about their career progression.

To assist young people in their career planning, the National Careers Service has extended the Lifelong Learning Account facility to anyone aged 13 and over. An account can be used to safely store personal documents and Skills Health Checks all in one place. Skills Health Checks are online activities which analyse an individual's strengths, motivations, skills, interests and personal styles. The account also provides the option for the production of an Action Plan.

The National Careers Service points of contact for young people aged 13-18 are:

Online through the website and webchat at: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

Telephone helpline (0800 100 900) for anyone aged 13 and over – Option 1 for 13-18 years olds to speak to a professionally qualified young person's adviser.

The National Careers Service website is specifically designed with information about the world of work.

How to Use the National Careers Service

• Visit the National Careers Service website to explore job profiles, including typical tasks, skills needed, and salary ranges. National Careers Service

• Use the skills assessment tool to learn what careers might suit your interests. National Careers Service

• Call 0800 100 900 or start a webchat to speak with a qualified adviser about your education, training or job plans. National Careers Service

• Bring what you learn to your personal guidance meetings at school to help shape your next steps.