Research highlights need for online careers advice

For the first time, young adults can get bespoke, expert answers to their questions about work and study at www.thesite.org/askthesite. The confidential online service provides a completely personalised response from a careers expert within three days, however complex the issue or concern. Funded by Thales UK Charitable Trust, the tailored careers advice complements the hundreds of pages of existing information and advice in the Work & Study section of TheSite.org, providing young adults with an invaluable online resource.

Fiona Dawe, Chief Executive of YouthNet - which runs TheSite.org - says: "The vital choices that young adults make about careers and education can affect their whole lives. This research highlights the importance of providing careers advice to young people, which is credible and accessible. Thales UK's funding means we can offer bespoke, expert answers to questions about careers and learning, something we were previously unable to do."

Other findings in YouthNet's work and study survey of over 300 young people showed:

• After the internet, other sources of careers advice deemed helpful for 16-25 year-olds were parents (62%), school, college or university (54%), and friends (54%);
• Only 21% of 16-25  year-olds found the Government's Connexions service, helpful – and this source was least likely to have been used by respondents (47% had never used it); 
•  Less than a quarter (24%) of respondents found employment agencies or job centres helpful for careers advice – and over a third (39%) had never used them;
• Over three-quarters (78%) of 16-25  year-olds had been put off a career path in the past. Reasons included poor salaries (51%), competitive environment (39%), limited prospects (38%) and extensive qualifications process (32%).

Career and study questions already answered on askTheSite have covered issues such as CV writing, and interview and exam technique, as well as advice on specific career choices. Young people wanting to view or ask a question should go to www.thesite.org/workandstudy or www.thesite.org/askthesite.

The careers guru on askTheSite will see BSS working alongside other specialist partner organisations such as Brook, Citizens Advice, Samaritans and SANE, responding to thousands of young people's questions. Since the askTheSite service was launched in 2003, over 15,000 questions have been answered, and there is an impressive archive of previously answered questions on the website. Feedback from young people who have used the service include:

'It was a great experience. I am recommending this site to all my friends.'

'I received a surprisingly fast, thorough reply which I really appreciated. Thanks for your help.'

'I felt that someone there had taken time with their answer and really wanted to help, which is very important when you are having a black time. Thank you for making me feel as though I matter.'

Sir Michael Graydon, Chairman of Thales UK Charitable Trust, says: "Thales UK has a high proportion of staff involved in science, technology and engineering, therefore the themes of youth, technology and education are key for us. We are delighted to be supporting YouthNet's excellent new service that will give young people careers advice to help them with their futures."

Ends

October 31, 2007

Media Enquiries:
For further media information please contact Sarah Wilson at YouthNet on 020 7250 5716 or out-of-hours on 07766 660 755.  Email  media@youthnet.org.

Careers advice on askTheSite will be officially launched from 7pm, Wednesday 31 October at the Dali Universe at County Hall Gallery, London SE1. Media wishing to attend should email emmajohnston_pr@yahoo.co.uk

For media enquiries about Thales UK please contact Kathryn Bell at Thales UK on 07813 903274 or kathryn.bell@thalesgroup.com

Notes to editors

1. YouthNet is an online charity – founded by broadcaster Martyn Lewis in 1995. It aims to create a socially inclusive environment where all young adults are engaged, informed and inspired to achieve their ambitions and dreams. 
2.  YouthNet runs www.TheSite.org – the first-stop-shop of advice and support for 16-24 year-olds. www.askTheSite.org is part of TheSite.org. YouthNet also runs www.do-it.org.uk – volunteering made easy.
3. TheSite.org hosted the online work and study survey between 27 June and 1 August 2007. A total of 313 16-25 year-olds completed the survey.
4. Thales UK has provided £50,000 to fund the careers partner on askTheSite. 
5. Thales UK is a major electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets with 9000 staff in more than 50 locations across the UK. It supports a wide range of educational initiatives in science, engineering and technology involving children as young as five years-old to those applying for registration with professional institutions leader to Chartership. Thales UK also runs a series of apprenticeships and scholarships for students in this area.
6. bss is the careers partner on askTheSite. bss runs learndirect on behalf of Ufi (The University for Industry) providing adults with free, confidential, impartial information and advice on learning opportunities, careers, funding and childcare. Trained work and study advisors answer young people's questions.