Careers and Connexions

Save Surrey Careers and Connexions: FIGHT FOR THEIR FUTURE!

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Members of UNISON, the union for Careers and Connexions workers in Surrey, have launched a campaign to stop Surrey County Council’s attempt to rip the heart out of Careers and Connexions for youth and slash funding for such provision by at least 25%.

The campaign, called “Fight For Their Future: Save Surrey Careers and Connexions” has been launched by UNISON members to fight for proper funding for Careers and Connexions services, and to keep the service under the general auspices of the Council, rather than cut completely.

Launching the campaign, Anne Thurlow, Surrey County UNISON Convenor for Careers and Connexions, said; “Young people are facing very difficult circumstances at the moment, in finding placements in colleges or in the labour market. We help thousands of young people across Surrey access opportunities for further education, training, or employment. The Council’s plan to slash and burn Careers and Connexions will throw all of this off track.”

Anne continued; “Surrey Careers staff offer an impartial careers guidance service to young people by fully qualified and experienced professionals, and also offers individual intensive support to those young people experiencing barriers to them achieving their potential. In Surrey Careers, our members have worked extensively and successfully in reducing the number of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) across all parts of the County and in all communities.”

Gemma Mitchener, a UNISON steward in Connexions in Epsom, said “We give young people hope. We provide them with options to get ahead – whether that be A-levels, or other opportunities to explore. Without us, who would do this? Who would help young people access these opportunities? We’re concerned that young people might not be given the same level of support from trained advisors to provide impartial advice that they get with Connexions.”

Chris Leary, Communications Officer for Surrey County UNISON, said “UNISON is concerned that the recent budget cuts in relation to the Connexions service by Surrey County Council will have a drastic effect on the front line Surrey careers service. The Council and Government’s cuts agenda will drive a real wedge in Surrey communities and will create a new generation of young people lost to employment and training, as happened in the 1980’s. We can’t afford to go back there again, and with the support of good quality careers and Connexions services, our communities will be spared the pain and suffering that long term youth unemployment unavoidably creates.”

The campaign calls on the Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet of Surrey County Council recall the decision made on 13th August 2010 on the budget cuts specifically in relation to Surrey Careers and Connexions service, as we do not believe that representation was received from a wide and meaningful range of communities, including representation from UNISON and front line Careers Service staff. A petition has been launched by the campaign, and can be signed by Surrey residents at www.surreycountyunison.org.uk/careerspetition or call 01372 887754.

As a result of the recent Cabinet decision, many of the services provided by the voluntary sector have been protected. No such guarantee has been given to Surrey career services. Without the work that our members in Surrey Careers, the voluntary sector would be unable to function. The two sectors work together hand in hand, and the Council need to recognise this. You cannot have one or the other. We call on the people of Surrey to contact their councillors and to urge them to reconsider this dangerous decision.