Connexions

UNISON PRAISED FOR DEFENDING PAY IN CONNEXIONS

Advanced Skills Advisers working for Connexions were saved from a cut in pay and de-professionalism last month. These highly skilled and dedicated advisers were to be the victims of the restructure of the Connexions intensive team (a service that helps some of the most vulnerable young people in Essex).

The local stewards having conducted some preliminary research handed the case to Sue Gainey (Branch Service Conditions Officer). Sue successfully negotiated changes that did away with the proposed pay cut while maintaining the advisers professional integrity.

Local steward Pete O'Loughlin commented that Sue had negotiated a good solution in trying circumstances. He further added how impressed he was with the support, consultation and feedback he received from Sue. He passed on the heartfelt thanks of advanced skills advisers in Colchester. They were very impressed with the representation they received from UNISON.

BRIEFING FOR REPS WORKING IN CAREERS AND CONNEXIONS SERVICES

May 09

This bulletin provides a roundup of issues in the Careers/Connexions Service in England, Scotland and Wales.

UK

Institute of Careers Guidance (ICG)

We continue to hold regular meetings with the ICG seeking areas of common ground and potential joint work. The institute are also interested in working with UNISON on qualifications frameworks. We will be inviting a representative of the ICG to attend a national Career/connexions Committee meeting.

ENGLAND

UNISON campaigns for Connexions

UNISON has been in correspondence with the English Government raising concerns about funding, transition arrangements and the adverse impact that the poorly managed and planned changes have had on the service and staff. We have called on the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) to improve their dialogue with stakeholders and survey the service to get a full picture of what is happening on the frontline. We have pointed out that several recently published reports vindicate our concerns and we are seeking a meeting with relevant DCSF officials which should take place shortly.

Youth Workforce Reform Programme

Representatives from UNISON’s Careers and Connexions Committee and Youth and Community recently met with the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to discuss the Government’s Youth Workforce Reform Programme, CIPD and qualifications for staff and career pathway frameworks. UNISON will be sending representatives to associated CWDC consultation events and will continue the dialogue. Information on the consultation and developments are on the Careers/Connexions section of the UNISON website. http://www.unison.org.uk/education/connexions/index.asp It is important that staff are engaged in this process as these proposals could have far reaching implications.

National Connexions Network

The National Connexions Network is a new membership body for Connexions employers launched at the end of March, which replaces the National Association of Connexions Partnerships (NACP). We have contacted the Network to seek to discuss common issues in the current challenging climate facing the sector.

Apprenticeships

A new body, the National Apprenticeship Service is being put in place to oversee responsibility for the delivery of Apprenticeships.

UNISON has commended the findings and recommendations made in a report by the Skills Commission: 'Progression Through Apprenticeships’. This calls for the government to ensure sufficient funding for the service and recommends that career guidance professionals must have proper access to labour market information, including through regular visits to employers. The report examines the underlying difficulties facing the careers/connexions sector in delivering the apprenticeship agenda, and questions the ability of services’ to deliver the apprenticeship agenda whilst subject to continual changes, cuts and restructuring. This inevitably leads to wide variations in the way the service is delivered resulting in a post code lottery in the extent, nature and quality of the services available for young people. We welcome the report’s recommendation that the service should be adequately and consistently funded by the Government.

If there are any developments in your region or devolved nation that you would like covered please send these in to mailto:d.bertuchi@unison.co.uk

CONNEXIONS STEWARDS

• Karen Beard - 01245 706806
  Connexions
  County Hall
  Chelmsford

• Paul Cornwell - 07917 461818
  Connexions
  County Hall
  Chelmsford

• Louise Fry - 01268 501300
  Connexions
  One stop shop
  16-20 Southernhay
  Basildon

• Chris Napier - 01255 254 300
  Connexions
  61 Station Road
  Clacton On Sea

• Peter O'Loughlin
  Connexions
  Manor House Careers Centre
  Colchester

• Bryan Taylor - 0208 5325120
  Connexions
  Loughton Central Libary
  Trapps Hill
  Loughton

CONNEXIONS HEALTH & SAFETY REPS

• John Turton
  Connexions
  Manor House Careers Centre
  Colchester

• Ms G Wood - 01255 421962
  Connexions
  61 Station Road
  Clacton-on-Sea

• Louise Fry - 01268 501300
  Connexions
  One stop shop
  16-20 Southernhay
  Basildon