The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has welcomed today’s launch of the National Careers Service, highlighting the need for improved careers advice to help meet employers’ needs for more people with management skills in the coming decade.

CMI’s research has highlighted the negative effects of poor career choices. Almost half (42%) of 2,000 adults questioned by OnePoll in a recent survey for CMI reported that they feel further behind in their careers than they would like.*

Yet a separate CMI poll has shown that fewer than one in five (18 per cent) young people consult careers advisers – with more than a third (38 per cent) having been put off careers by ‘suited and booted stereotypes’.**

Petra Wilton, Director of Policy and Research at CMI, said:
“According to the Government’s own labour market projections, we are set to see a rapid growth in management jobs over the coming decade. It is critical that aspiring managers understand what employers need and are given quality advice about how they can improve their skills to boost their career prospects.

“The new National Careers Service promises to provide an important resource for young people starting the jobs hunt – and to people of all ages looking to advance their careers by entering the management profession.

“As members of the Careers Profession Taskforce in 2010, CMI played an active role in supporting the creation of the new Service, focusing on raising the standard of advice and guidance by improving the development of careers advisers as professionals. We look forward to working with Government and the new Service to ensure it provides the top-quality service that is needed.”