Career Connect is a charity providing personalised support and professional careers advice and guidance for young people. We work with local authorities, supporting young people aged 16–18 (and up to age 25 with an EHCP) who are not currently in education, employment or training, and our service is completely free.

The local authority provides us with details of Year 11 and 12 school leavers across the borough (up to age 25 if the person has an EHCP) for whom there is now record of them being in education, employment or training. We contact those young people to ask if they would like our help to plan their next steps.

Our advisers can help you to:

• Understand job, training and education choices and qualifications.
• Identify your strengths and interests.
• Research your options and make a plan.
• Build your CV and experience.
• Apply for jobs, college, university or training.
• Prepare for interviews.
• Build confidence and positive thinking.
• Obtain ID.

They can also:

• Link you up with personal development and wellbeing programmes, and opportunities to build experience.
• Help you to attend careers fairs, college open days or employer events.
• Speak to training providers or colleges to ensure your needs are met.
• Help you plan journeys on public transport and access travel support.

We are careers professionals, and our teams are experts in delivering personalised careers support.

We are also impartial. This means we offer honest and straightforward advice, based on your goals. We will aim to link you up with things that you are interested in and that you feel best suit your needs.

Our advisers will help you to identify your strengths, passions and goals. They can also help with practical things, such as access to ID or support with travel. They provide one-to-one support, designed around you.

It’s your journey, your way. Our advisers can help you get there.

The term NEET is an acronym that refers to young people who are “Not in Education, Employment or Training” after they leave school at the age of 16.

By law, all 16-year-olds leaving school must participate in further education or training until they are 18. This doesn’t mean you have to stay in school. It may be a good opportunity for you to explore your career options, understand your skills and strengths and try things that can help you decide what you want to do as a career.

Your adviser will spend time getting to know you. This will help them to provide support that is right for you. You’ll have regular catchups to discuss any actions you want to take and how your adviser can support you.

Yes. The type of training or course you choose is entirely up to you. Our advisers will be there to offer advice to help you in making your choice. It’s your journey, your way. Our advisers are simply there to help you get there.

We know there’s more than one path into any career. So, if you try one course or job and it doesn’t work out, don’t worry.

Your adviser will help you to reset and go again, until you find the best option for you.  They will also check-in with you on your new path to see if there is anything you need help with.

It’s your journey, your way.

We have specialist staff in our teams who can provide help and support to everyone.  You can discuss any barriers that may be in your way with your adviser.  They will help you find ways to overcome them.

They can also link you with support for mental health, housing and benefits advice and more.

If your adviser can’t help you with something directly, they will know someone who can!

We can support you using a method you are comfortable with:

• In a location like a community centre or library
• Over the phone or video call
• By text or email
• At our offices
• At your home in certain situations

No, neither you nor your parents/carers will lose benefits by working with us. If you’re not sure about something, our advisers can tell you more, based on your situation.