Welcome to Careers South West

Due to the high response from parents to last year's careers options events the Connexions service will this year host the same event during the week commencing 1^st February, which coincides with the options choices young people in years 9 and 11 are being asked to make in secondary schools.

The local Connexions centres in Barnstaple, Bodmin, Camborne, Exeter, Helston, Launceston, Newquay, Newton Abbot, Penryn, Penzance, Plymouth, St Austell, Truro, and Torquay will be staying open for longer in order to give parents the opportunity to discuss their children's options choices with a trained personal adviser.

Connexions Chief Executive, Jenny Rudge, said, "Young people most need support developing early aspirations and goals, and translating these aspirations into decisions about specific career pathways. Parents are the biggest influence on young people for both these points which is why these evenings are so important for parents to attend.

"However, there have been a lot of developments in education and training since parents were at school, which is why, in addition to our presence at parent's events in schools and colleges, we're offering parent's the opportunity to talk to our personal advisers about all the possible career progression routes - and what might be best for their son or daughter."

"The options young people select can influence their future path, therefore it is vitally important that they, and their parents, are as well informed as possible about the decisions they make. A good knowledge of careers information empowers people to increase their social mobility - the movement between social groups - and achieve better paid jobs."

Connexions is the specialist careers and advisory service which helps to engage all 13-19 year olds in learning and work. Its staff can provide information on the full range of employment, training, further and higher education opportunities available regionally and nationally.

To book an appointment at your local centre, or for parents who are unable to attend the career options events but who still want to receive advice, or book an appointment at a later stage, phone 0800 97 55 111 or email your local centre via the Connexions website www.connexions-cd.org.uk.

Working alongside the young people's careers, information and guidance service will be the adult equivalent - nextstep. Any parents/carers who feel they would benefit from a consultation can book an appointment by calling 0845 8 50 50 70.