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What's New
Learning for Living and Work Summer Conference - 19th June 2013
A Learning for Living and Work Summer Conference has been arranged for the 19th June 2013.
Highlight of the conference is the main speaker Karen Adriaanse, Ofsted National Adviser for Careers Education and Employability. The conference will explore practical ways in which we can support young people currently working at Level 1 and below to gain employment, live as independently and healthily as they are able to and become active members of their communities. Further information is available in the flyer:
DfE 7th March: Consultation on 16-19 vocational reform
Proposals to establish standards for level 3 vocational qualifications in schools and colleges from September 2014, for performance table publication.
UCAS Search 14-19 Prospectus
This website provides 16-19 course information for schools, colleges, Foundation Learning and Apprenticeship providers.
UCAS Search is designed to provide an essential source of course information for learners in Years 10 and 11 who are at school and are considering their options for the future.
Ofsted: 21 November 2012: Qualifications alone will not ensure learners find work
Today Ofsted is publishing a best practice report called Promoting enterprise in college vocational courses. The report shares the experiences of 15 high performing colleges who excel in teaching their students enterprise-related skills and entrepreneurial capability. Leaders of the colleges visited recognised the future success of their young people did not just depend on academic achievement, but also involved developing a range of essential enterprise-related skills.
DfE: 26 November 2012: Only the highest-quality vocational qualifications will continue to count in reformed performance tables
This also includes new minimum standards that will apply to school sixth forms
Youth Connexions Awarded the Matrix Standard
Youth Connexions achieves matrix standard for Information, Advice and Guidance and is rated the ‘Service of Choice’
In October 2012, the Youth Connexions Information, Advice and Guidance service, part of Hertfordshire County Council’s Services for Young People, was awarded the matrix Standard.
The matrix Standard is a quality framework for the effective delivery of information, advice and guidance on learning and work. It promotes the delivery of high quality information, advice and guidance by ensuring organisations review, evaluate and develop their service.
To achieve the standard, organisations undergo a rigorous, week long assessment that examines all parts of the service. Youth Connexions successfully demonstrated that it follows robust processes, promotes continuous improvement and that staff professionalism and development is one of its highest priorities.
Comments in the assessor’s report included the statement that:
“Youth Connexions continues to be the service of choice in the county. The staff have an enviable reputation for professionalism and dedication and are well known for putting young people at the heart of service provision. …For many young people, engaging with the service has had an immense impact.”
Andrew Simmons, Deputy Director, Services for Children and Young People said: “I am delighted that we have come through the matrix accreditation process with such a positive endorsement of our work. We already know that our IAG staff deliver high quality support for young people that really has a positive impact on their lives, but it is always great to have that recognised and benchmarked by an external organisation such as matrix.
This success will further enhance our strategy to maintain high quality independent and impartial guidance in schools and most importantly ensure that young people are well supported in making key life choices that support transition to adult life.”
National Qualifications
Apprenticeships
City & Guilds 7546 Training
2012 Foundation Learning Annual Conference
Training Event Materials. More...
Connexions Direct - Alert about inappropriate website URGENT
We have recently identified that the web address www.connexions-direct.com (which was the main information site for the national support service for 13 - 19, Connexions Direct) and .co.uk now goes to an American site which has unsuitable information and links for young people including financial loans, web chats, online dating and porn.
Please can you check everything in your School and remove any items that have this address on. This could include stationery, pens, mouse mats, leaflets, notice boards, posters, PA Appointment cards, bookmarks, shortcuts and favourites on computers, your website and intranet.
The site is unsuitable for young people we must not be directing young people to it.
With the recent launch of the National Careers Service we should now be using the following information with no reference to Connexions Direct
Barbara Rumble
Knowledge and Information Manager
Hertfordshire County Council
Services for Young People
Youth Connexions
Tel: 01438 843686
Careers Guidance under the Spotlight
Youth Connexions Hertfordshire welcomed careers guidance professionals from across Hertfordshire to a major event earlier this month.
 LEP Chair John Gourd presented the key note speech at this year’s Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) conference ‘Enabling young people to succeed’ organised by Youth Connexions Hertfordshire.
Conference attendees included careers co-ordinators, sixth form heads from Hertfordshire schools and Youth Connexions Personal Advisers. The day included presentations from the University of Hertfordshire and the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. Workshops ran throughout the day on topics such as 'Harnessing social media', 'LDD statutory developments' and 'Practical Ideas for Careers Education and Guidance'.
Young apprentices also took part in the event, explaining how apprenticeships had benefited them and how their role as Apprenticeship Ambassadors encourages their peers to think seriously about applying for apprenticeships.
LEP Business Administration Apprentice, Jessie Edwards, one of the young Apprentices at the conference, said:
“I’ve really gained confidence from taking on new challenges at work and it feels great being a useful part of my team. School and work are completely different, so it’s been helpful to have a year to adjust to a work environment. Being an apprentice has given me skills that will help throughout my career.”
Delegates registered as business partners of Youth Connexions can view/download the workshop and key speaker presentations on the Youth Connexions website:
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