National Careers Service

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Delivering the National Careers Service

We deliver the National Careers Service as a prime contractor in the North East, Cumbria, Yorkshire and the Humber and as a key subcontractor in the South East of England. We provide world-class careers advice and guidance to more than 82,000 adults annually in a range of community settings. Our provision has helped transform lives and provides lasting economic and social benefit to the communities in which we work. Employing a person-centred approach, we help individuals recognise their strengths and skills, improve their employability and explore and manage their available career opportunities. Working together, we support people to realise their potential and achieve positive work and learning outcomes.

We are accredited to both the Matrix and Merlin Standards and, in all our work, we seek to demonstrate our belief in evidence-informed practice and service management. This is described and endorsed in our most recent Ofsted inspection report – view report (opens in a new window) – in which we were graded ‘outstanding’; in particular, our use of labour market information to inform practice and our approach to the use of digital tools is commended in the report.

Accessing our National Careers Guidance service

The National Careers Service is provided free of charge to all adults. Our careers support and advice can be provided face-to-face, via webchat, or over the telephone. For more information visit the National Careers website, contact the National Careers helpline on 0800 100 900 or visit speak to an advisor on webchat.

Visit the National Careers Service website

My experience with National Careers Service was outstanding, I have been supported and treated very well, I have been given really useful information and advice, and my confidence has improved.
National Careers Service participant

Expressions of interest

Education Development Trust is now inviting organisations to express their interest in delivering the National Careers Services as a subcontractor. We want to work with partners who have a strong track record of delivering within the employability and careers sector, and share the same business ethics and values. 

We are interested to hear from organisations who wish to work in partnership with us to deliver the new National Careers Service across the North East and Cumbria, Yorkshire and the Humber and the South East from 1st April 2023.

Education Development Trust

We have been a leading careers service provider in the UK for over 20 years and have a successful track record of managing programmes delivering careers, employment, and skills support. Bridging the gap between education, training and employment is key to our mission of transforming lives around the world.

We work with national and local funders to deliver high quality careers support to young people and adults. In both the management and delivery of our services, we combine our extensive professional knowledge and experience with up-to-date technology, helping us not only to engage with customers but also to maximise our impact for them. We adopt a joined-up approach with local stakeholders to develop our work, from linking up with employers, schools, and colleges to nurturing key strategic relationships with local authorities, local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) and other partner organisations.

The National Careers Service

The National Careers Service provides high quality, free and impartial careers advice, information and guidance to all individuals aged 13+. The contract you are expressing an interest in delivering will be working with adults aged 18+ only and is solely payment by results.

Education Development Trust currently does not charge a management fee as this is included in our payment structure for all sub-contracted delivery. The payment structure entitles the sub-contractors to but is not limited to:

A dedicated contract manager
Supportive administration functions
Use of a Customer Relationship Management System with self-service reporting functionalities
Centralised support including compliance, quality and marketing
Subcontractor Network meetings
Monthly CPD opportunities for all staff working within the National Careers Service contract
Regular LMI bulletins
Newsletters

Subcontractors can also access staff training via Education Development Trusts assessment centre; Level 4 and Level 6 Careers Guidance qualifications are available at an additional cost.

Any clarification questions should be sent via email to subcontractingopportunities@edt.org 

Education Development Trust will not be liable for any bid costs, expenditure, work or effort incurred by any other organisation in proceeding with or participating in this procurement, including if the procurement process is terminated or amended. We reserve the right at any time to decide not to proceed with this procurement process.

Case studies

Case Study - Travis

After being out of work for some time, the National Careers Service helped Travis secure a full time position in an industry that he was keen to work in.

Case study - Travis

Case study - Thomas

Thomas came to the National Careers Service after feeling unsure about how to find work after graduating from university. Thanks to the National Careers Service, he was able to move into employment with a local council.

Case study - Thomas

Case study - Emma

Emma came to the National Careers Service for support finding new employment after she was made redundant. Through her session, she learnt how to improve her interview techniques and successfully secured a new role.

Case study - Emma

Case study - Angela

Angela came to the National Careers Service as she was out of work and “didn’t know which way to turn”. She had a strong background in care and was keen to stay in the health and social care sector but felt she needed support knowing how to move forward. Following her session, Angela has now started a new role within the NHS.

Case study - Angela

Would you like to partner with us?

Please complete the following questions considering the word count for each question.  Completed questionnaires must be sent electronically in Word document format to subcontractingopportunities@educationdevelopmenttrust.com .

Download Expression Of Interest Form