LEARNINGLINE ADVICE

Learningline was formed in 2004 as a response to the growing demand in the county of Essex for career information and advice for people over the age of 20. Prior to this, the careers service for the county operated a thriving service offering a full range of careers advisory support for adults. The onset of a new service for younger people, Connexions, meant that the older person was no longer catered for. Government funding became available, and Learningline was successful in securing a contract, under the direction of Andy Marriott, to operate in the Essex area to deliver careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) by telephone.

Learningline quickly grew to become the largest provider of IAG services in the Essex area, and used this experience to tender for and secure, additional contracts with organisations outside the county.

Learningline now operates IAG contracts on behalf of Essex, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Luton and Bedfordshire and North London.

In addition to expanding its range of contracts, Learningline has been successful in gaining national quality recognition for the standard of its IAG on two occasions, receiving the prestigious matrix accreditation in 2004 and 2007.

Learningline staff are all trained and qualified to professional level in order to deliver IAG services, working towards or receiving the nationally recognised NVQ qualification in Advice and Guidance at level 3.

As well as offering IAG services via the telephone, Learningline also operates the national freephone enquiry line for the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB), taking first point of contact calls from students, teachers, advisors and parents looking for advice and information on careers at sea. The enquiry line is linked to our Careerlink service on behalf of the MNTB, with its aim to improve knowledge and awareness of the merchant navy as a career of choice for young people and adults alike. Learningline staff undertook specific product knowledge training to be able to assist callers and refer them appropriately. Learningline also operates a proactive telephone service on behalf of Devry University in the USA, whereby after product knowledge training, our advisory team contact responders to internet and print based advertising for Devry's many programmes and campuses, and conducts pre application interviews with potential students from around the world.