Informed decisions imperative to effective career planning

Justin Kerr, Head of Careers Service at the Department for the Economy, is advising young people receiving their results, and their parents, to make use of the free impartial advice and guidance offered by the Department’s Careers Service

Head of Careers Service, Justin Kerr and Deputy Head of Careers Service Christina Kelly.

With the A-level results being published today and GSCE results following on 24 August, Justin said:

“For many young people, receiving their exam results today will be the culmination of years of hard work, some of which will have been extremely challenging during the pandemic. This day marks the next step in their career journey and the need to take sound decisions will be of vital importance to their effective career planning.

“There will be those receiving results today who will be delighted with what they have achieved and will have a clear pathway for their next steps. I know that there will also be others who may be facing disappointment and be unsure of where to turn for advice on the best way forward.  I want to reassure everyone that advice and guidance is available and the Careers Service is ready to help you access the path best suited to realise your career ambitions.”

Justin continued:

“The Careers Service can offer impartial advice and guidance on career pathways including further and higher education, training and employment including apprenticeships, higher level apprenticeships and traineeships as well as help and guidance on applying for employment, either full-time or whilst studying.

“I would like to offer my very best wishes to those either receiving or waiting for their results.”

For immediate advice and guidance contact the Careers Service by calling 0300 200 7820, lines are open 9:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Careers Advisers can also be contacted by webchat or email by going to the Careers page on nidirect.

Notes to editors: 

1. PHOTOGRAPH CAPTION: Head of Careers Service, Justin Kerr and Deputy Head of Careers Service Christina Kelly encourage those seeking advice following exam results to contact the Careers Service via telephony, webchat or email.

2. To keep up to date with news from the Department you can follow us on the following social media channels:

• Twitter – @Economy_NI
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• Instagram – economy_ni
• LinkedIn – Department for the Economy NI 

3. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk

4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.   

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