Written - Review of Careers Services in Wales

I am today publishing a revision to the Terms of Reference for the second stage of the Review of Careers Services in Wales. The original Terms of Reference asked the Review Group to consider a reduction in the number of Careers Wales companies. I have decided to revise this to ask the Review Group to work on the basis that a unitary structure will be established for Careers Wales. I believe that this will clarify the task of the Review Group in considering future relationships between Careers Wales and other service providers and remove uncertainty within the careers companies regarding the future configuration of the organisation. Successive reports by Moulson and Prail in 2004, Webb in 2007 and Watts last year have all pointed to the need for restructuring. The more recent Webb and Watts reports indicated the advantages of a unitary structure. Watts concluded that ‘the current structure of six independent Careers Wales companies, plus a seventh jointly-owned company which is a servant of the six, is problematic.’ I am convinced that a unitary structure is now the right way forward to provide ‘the strong leadership’ identified as being required by Professor Watts.

I am therefore asking my officials to scope such a reorganisation in concert with the companies and to advise on options for a unitary structure in parallel with the examination of other issues by the Review Group; and I will announce my decision regarding the option to be pursued in due course when this option appraisal has been undertaken.

I expect the Review Group to report their findings and recommendations at the end of March.