The NSW state government has unveiled plans for a career advice and educational pathways service following a review of the state’s vocational education and training sector led by high profile university chancellors David Gonski and Peter Shergold.

The new service, known as Careers NSW, will be piloted by Service NSW and is a key recommendation from the yet to be released sector review by Mr Gonski and Professor Shergold.

The state government has targeted a full roll out of Careers NSW by mid-2022, with a pilot program to be online by the end of this year.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new guidance service would help the NSW workforce evolve and adjust to disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“NSW is the driver of innovation, research and development in Australia providing unique and incredible career opportunities for people, including at Tech Central, the Aerotropolis and in our record infrastructure boom,” the Premier said.

“The pandemic has forced us to reflect on the workforce and it has never been more crucial for people across NSW to access quality advice to make informed decisions about their professional future,” she said.

When up and running, the new Careers NSW “wrap around” service will “connect people to accessible and quality career guidance” and “advise on educational pathways and qualifications that match people to the skills they need to be employed faster”.

The state is also targeting “highly-credentialed volunteers” to provide advice on specific innovation areas including manufacturing, cybersecurity and construction.

NSW Skills and Tertiary Education Minister Geoff Lee said the government was committed to providing a dedicated careers advice service in NSW.

“Students and people looking to change careers or develop their skills deserve access to lifelong careers advice to make informed decisions on their future,” Mr Lee said.

“Careers NSW will provide a wrap-around service to not only connect people to accessible and quality careers guidance but to advise on educational pathways and qualifications that exist to match people to the skills they need to be employed faster.”

The NSW government says the Review of the NSW vocational education and training sector led by Mr Gonski and Prof Shergold would be “released shortly”.

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