27 July 2026
DWP update on the Jobs and Careers Service
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published an update on the development of the get Britain Working White Paper and the new Jobs and Careers Service.
The Ministerial Foreword by Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson, reiterates the aims of the White paper, to address the shortcomings of the existing system to create ‘a service built around results, not processes, with outcomes focused on getting more people into work and to support them making progress in their careers’, with investment to support people into work, ‘putting skills and careers at the heart of a new Jobs and Careers Service.’
As well as setting out the existing problems, the update shares the vision for the future service, with a ‘focus on improving sustained employment and career progression for our customers’. The new service will be digital first and human where needed. It aims to support more people, including those not on benefits. In terms of career guidance, it states that ‘qualified careers advisers will focus on providing in-depth advice and guidance to customers who face greater barriers to working or learning, regardless of whether they are claiming benefits. This includes young people who are not in education, employment or training (including those aged under 18 who are not in school or college), and disabled people.’
The new service is expected to be accessible beyond Jobcentres, including the expanded network of 360 Youth hubs. However, the main access point will be through digital tools such as the new Find a Job platform. DWP have brought the digital platform inhouse and have launched an ‘AI conversational tool’ to help identify needs, an action plan tool and a CV builder.
Theya re continuing to run the Pathfinder trials to develop service improvement, some of which have involved current National Careers Service (NCS) providers. In addition, Innovation Hubs are being trialled to amend the Jobcentre environment.
The update summarises the work supporting young people, including the Youth Guarantee, Youth hubs, the Youth Jobs Grant and the Jobs Guarantee.
In terms of merging NCS provision into the new service, it is still on schedule for 1st October. The TUPE process to transfer staff is now in the consultation periods ahead of the transfer date.
In terms of careers adviser toles, the update is clear that the commitment to professionalism and continuous development will be maintained. They will support careers advisers already working towards level 4 or level 6 qualifications, and will procure level 4 and level 6 qualifications to ‘support a future pipeline of accredited careers advisers’.
The update also sets out further changes to be delivered in this Parliament, including an expanded digital service, more targeted employment support that is personalised to the user, and closer integration of the NCS and Jobcentre Plus following the merger. The update also shares more insight on the approach to better support employers.
Read the full update on the Get Britain Working White paper and Jobs and Careers Service.
The Ministerial Foreword by Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson, reiterates the aims of the White paper, to address the shortcomings of the existing system to create ‘a service built around results, not processes, with outcomes focused on getting more people into work and to support them making progress in their careers’, with investment to support people into work, ‘putting skills and careers at the heart of a new Jobs and Careers Service.’
As well as setting out the existing problems, the update shares the vision for the future service, with a ‘focus on improving sustained employment and career progression for our customers’. The new service will be digital first and human where needed. It aims to support more people, including those not on benefits. In terms of career guidance, it states that ‘qualified careers advisers will focus on providing in-depth advice and guidance to customers who face greater barriers to working or learning, regardless of whether they are claiming benefits. This includes young people who are not in education, employment or training (including those aged under 18 who are not in school or college), and disabled people.’
The new service is expected to be accessible beyond Jobcentres, including the expanded network of 360 Youth hubs. However, the main access point will be through digital tools such as the new Find a Job platform. DWP have brought the digital platform inhouse and have launched an ‘AI conversational tool’ to help identify needs, an action plan tool and a CV builder.
Theya re continuing to run the Pathfinder trials to develop service improvement, some of which have involved current National Careers Service (NCS) providers. In addition, Innovation Hubs are being trialled to amend the Jobcentre environment.
The update summarises the work supporting young people, including the Youth Guarantee, Youth hubs, the Youth Jobs Grant and the Jobs Guarantee.
In terms of merging NCS provision into the new service, it is still on schedule for 1st October. The TUPE process to transfer staff is now in the consultation periods ahead of the transfer date.
In terms of careers adviser toles, the update is clear that the commitment to professionalism and continuous development will be maintained. They will support careers advisers already working towards level 4 or level 6 qualifications, and will procure level 4 and level 6 qualifications to ‘support a future pipeline of accredited careers advisers’.
The update also sets out further changes to be delivered in this Parliament, including an expanded digital service, more targeted employment support that is personalised to the user, and closer integration of the NCS and Jobcentre Plus following the merger. The update also shares more insight on the approach to better support employers.
Read the full update on the Get Britain Working White paper and Jobs and Careers Service.
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