Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Acknowledged
DWP insources National Careers Service advice by October 2026, committing to retain staff skills.
Recommendation
The Department said that it was in the process of setting up the new jobs and careers service, which would need to be done by October 2026 when the current National Careers Service contracts came to an end. It had taken over the contracts but Ministers had decided to insource careers advice services from 1 October 2026. We asked the Department if it would make sure it retained in the new organisation the skills contained within the National Careers Service providers. We believe this is very important. The Department told us that insourcing was important so that it could try different things rather than having to negotiate them through a commercial contract. It said it had time to get the new arrangements right, including bringing over talented staff from the existing providers.15 Reduction in work coach support for claimants
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of retaining skills from the National Careers Service providers and has transferred responsibility for adult skills and careers to DWP to create a single government lead. It outlines the plan for the Jobs and Careers Service.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: October 2026 1.2 The government laid out its ambition for greater access to education and skills through the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. The White Paper aims to reform the Post-16 education and skills system so that it supports the development of the skilled workforce and our economy needs. The transfer of responsibility for adult skills and careers from the Department for Education to the Department for Work and Pensions (the department) on 16 September 2025 has created a single government lead on work and training for adults, bringing together employment support and skills development in one place. 1.3 The Jobs and Careers Service (JCS) will be a new single and universal service, providing a stronger focus on skills and careers. By incorporating its new responsibilities, including into the JCS, the department is creating a more coherent and employment-focussed skills system. A key milestone is the bringing together of the National Careers Service with Jobcentre Plus from 1 October 2026. 1.4 As the new service is being developed, the department will look to incorporate information on users’ skills and available provision to signpost people to training where they have gaps that need addressing before they can get into or progress at work. 1.5 The department will publish an update in Spring 2026 in response to the “Get Britain Working: Reforming Jobcentres” (September 2025) report of the Work and Pensions Select Committee. This will set out further detail on how the department plans to integrate skills in the Jobs and Careers Service.