igen have been notified by DCSF that Ministers have taken the decision to end the bursary scheme for the Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG) and the NVQ4 in Learning, Development and Support Services qualifications.
All full time students who are currently on the QCG course for the 2009-10 academic year will continue to receive student support to enable them to complete their course. Likewise all students who are studying the QCG on a part-time basis will have the fees paid for their second year. However, the QCG bursary is now closed to all new applicants and students enrolling for the academic year 2010-2011 will not be able to access this source of funding.
This decision does not alter DCSF's commitment to supporting and developing the IAG workforce. Young people need high quality information, advice and guidance (IAG) to help them find their way in the world and make decisions that will set them on the road to success. To ensure this happens an IAG workforce that is skilled and committed to the delivery of a high quality service is needed.
The recently published IAG strategy 'Quality Choice & Aspiration' sets out the commitment to establish a Task Force on the Careers Profession which will investigate and make recommendations on how we can ensure that the IAG workforce attracts well qualified people from all backgrounds. It will also look at what can be done to retain and motivate effective careers professionals already in the workforce and insure that professional practice is of a high standard and that careers professionals receive the support they need to improve. The Task Force will be Chaired by Dame Ruth Silver, Chair of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service and membership includes representative bodies such as the Institute of Careers Guidance. It will report in the summer.
In addition, DCSF have commissioned the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) and Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) to review the skills required by careers specialists working with young people and adults. The review will inform a workforce development strategy and qualifications structure for careers advisers. This will report in spring 2010 and feed into the work of the Task Force.
Students who have been awarded a bursary and have a query please contact 0113 2262128.
