Careers Advice join’s the 21^st Century

Connexions:MK, Milton Keynes Council’s young people’s advice and support service, is launching the only Virtual Connexions Centre on Monday 22nd February at 4.30pm at Connexions:MK, The Point, 602 Midsummer Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes.  Three additional launch parties for young people will also take place simultaneously in Bletchley, Wolverton and Olney, to demonstrate some of the remote features of the Virtual Centre, including an online gaming tournament.

The Virtual Connexions Centre at www.mysaymk.com is the first of its kind in the country and has been developed to make it easier for young people across Milton Keynes to access Connexions services.  This includes being able to use webchat with Connexions Personal Advisers to create CVs, complete application forms and make career and learning choices, all from the comfort of their own home, school or college. 

The Virtual Centre uses 3D world technology similar to that used in popular 3D gaming sites such as Second Life.  Features of the site include:

1. the ability to create an avatar, personalised to suit the young person’s individual taste;
2. webchat to obtain information, advice and guidance from Personal Advisers;
3. content, such as jobs and training information, in the form of posters, video screens, audio clips and games (including a CV creator and team building games);
4. a virtual radio studio for podcasting production by young people

Connexions:MK Manager, Peter Wong, said: “It’s not always convenient for young people to come into the centre each time they need advice or guidance.  We’ll still have Connexions Personal Advisers at the Centre in the Point, on the end of a phone and carrying out outreach work for those young people for whom a city centre visit isn’t practical, but the virtual centre means that young people can work on documents alongside the Personal Adviser when they choose to, making it easier for young people to access job vacancies and training programmes, and to make informed choices about their future.”  Prospects Services is working in partnership with the council to deliver the Virtual Centre.

“We are very excited to be developing this new service for young people in partnership with Milton Keynes Council.

Our intention is to provide outstanding youth support services and pioneering solutions. The Virtual Centre is just that, offering remote access to young people from their home, school, college or centre.  From a web chat with Connexions personal advisers, to live group sessions and instant advice and information, this new service builds on our face-to-face services at the Point and our outreach work across the borough.

“With high youth unemployment, young people have difficulties in making the transition from education into employment.  Therefore, it is of paramount importance that the best possible support services are made available to our young people.  The Virtual Connexions Centre is a vital new tool to help them make the right career and learning choices and demonstrates Prospects dedication to delivering excellence.”  Says Prospects Services, Executive Chairman, Ray Auvray. 

Despite the continued economic downturn, Connexions:MK reports that young people in Milton Keynes are managing to hold their own during the recession by remaining in, or securing, work, training and education opportunities.  One of the key aims of Connexions is to reduce the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training.  The latest figures, for November 2009, show that the percentage of 16-18 year olds in Milton Keynes not in work or learning (5.7%) is lower than at the same time last year (5.9%) despite the widely-reported deteriorating employment situation.