The Department of Education’s Careers Guidance Service has welcomed new manager Andrew McKinley.

Mr McKinley takes up the post from 1st August and succeeds Julian Potts.

A trained teacher, he brings to the post nine years’ experience working as a careers adviser in London and the Isle of Man.

He begins his new role at a time when the Careers Guidance Service is giving increasing emphasis on assisting young people who are not in education, employment or training.

Youth and Community Adviser Mike Clague explained ‘It’s in everyone’s interest that as many people as possible are offered independent advice and guidance when planning careers.

'The Careers Guidance Service does this through secondary schools and the Isle of Man College and through appointments at the Careers Centre in Hill Street.

'Some young people fall through the net, however, and the service is making support for them a priority. Andrew’s experience in this type of work will be particularly valuable.’

Andrew has had a varied career himself. He left school at 16 and completed an apprenticeship as a yacht/boat builder and worked as a furniture maker.

In his mid-20s, he had his first encounter with a careers adviser and studied for A-levels before taking a degree in Philosophy and Theology at the then Thames Polytechnic and completing a Post Graduate Certificate of Education.

Mr McKinley spent four years working as a Roman Catholic Chaplain at the University of Greenwich and started a Masters degree in Pastoral Theology with the Jesuits at Heythrop College, University of London.

He didn’t complete his studies, however, as it was during this time that he met his wife, Louise, who hails from the Isle of Man, and any ideas of a vocation/career in the Catholic Church had to be rethought.

Mr McKinley retrained as a careers adviser at the College of Guidance Studies in Kent in 1999 and took up a post in Sutton. London.

Before moving to the Island two years ago, he was involved in adult guidance, working in partnership with a local college and with the Job Centre. He has also completed a level 3 diploma in life coaching.

He is delighted to have been appointed to head the Careers Guidance Service in the Isle of Man, which offers information, advice and guidance not just to those in full-time education but to anyone who is looking at a career change.

He says, ‘I believe it is crucial for people – particularly young people – to have access to and receive information, advice and guidance when they need it. Giving people the skills to plan for the future and manage their own career will become increasingly important.
 
‘Now that the Children’s Plan has been launched by the Departments of Education, Home Affairs and Health and Social Security, I am optimistic that we will quickly be able to overcome any challenges arising from multi-agency working with others in the Government and the third sector by seeing the young person as the central concern.’
 
Mr Clague added, ‘A review of the Careers Guidance Service earlier this year identified considerable progress being made and pinpointed what further actions are needed to ensure continued high quality delivery of careers advice and support.

Mr. McKinley has a clear vision for the service and I have no doubt that it will flourish under his leadership.’