Students, graduates and adults looking to turbocharge their careers will have access to tailored career advice through the establishment of Careers NSW, a groundbreaking new service announced by the NSW Government today.

The bold initiative is an Australian first and will drive the NSW COVID-19 recovery by ensuring every worker and student in NSW has access to careers advice regardless of their job, experience or education.

The initiative is a key recommendation in the Review of the NSW vocational education and training sector led by David Gonski and Professor Peter Shergold, which will be released shortly.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Careers NSW would allow the workforce to change and evolve following the threats of the pandemic, leaving no one behind.

“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,” Ms Berejiklian 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.

“Careers NSW will allow people to be guided by the experiences of workers ingrained in the industries they are looking to enter.”

The NSW Government will also target highly credentialled volunteers from major and emerging industries, to lend their time and industry expertise to provide advice in areas including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and construction.

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Government was committed to providing a dedicated careers service to people across 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.”

A pilot of Careers NSW will begin online through Service NSW later this year with a full rollout expected in mid-2022. For more information visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/careers-nsw