Assessing the Net Added Value of Advice and Guidance

This research explores the impact of information, advice and guidance (IAG) on adults in work or education, and specifically investigates the relative impact of more in-depth careers support (advice and guidance) over that of information provision.

The research design was a longitudinal survey of recipients of careers support (or recipients of IAG). The first survey took place in 2004 and involved more than 4,000 individuals. The second survey, in 2006, followed-up these original participants, achieving almost 1,300 interviews.

Key findings:

• IAG is generally more effective when experienced as part of an ongoing process, rather than as an isolated event.
• In-depth support is positively associated with a range of observable learning and career outcomes.
• In-depth support helps people recognise and value what they have achieved, increases confidence in planning for the future, and general self confidence.
• Low-skilled adults are likely to need more than initial in-depth support if they are to make progress in the labour market.
• People who receive in-depth support engage in a different, more work-focused type of learning experience in the medium term from those who received information only.

The report concludes by drawing these key findings into a broader whole and discussing the implications for future IAG services.

A separate technical report on the survey and analysis methods used in this assessment is available top download here.