Free careers advice moves into Jobcentres from 6 October 2026

From 6 October 2026, careers advice that used to come from the separate National Careers Service is delivered through Jobcentres: the service has been merged into the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Around 500 qualified careers advisers have moved across. The support is free and is not tied to benefits — anyone in England can use it.

What changed in Jobcentres on 6 October 2026?

The National Careers Service has been merged into DWP, so its full range of support is now available through Jobcentres alongside employment and skills help.

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Until now, careers guidance and employment support were two separate systems: one place for advice about a profession, another for vacancies and benefits. DWP calls this "fragmented services". Around 500 qualified careers advisers now work inside DWP and provide information, advice and guidance next to the existing employment and skills support.

Who can get free careers advice?

Anyone in England, whether or not they claim benefits.

That is the key point for people already in work: you do not need to be on Universal Credit, and you do not need to be unemployed, to speak to a careers adviser. The service is equally open to someone changing career, returning after parental leave, moving from low-paid work to something better, or trying to get a foreign qualification recognised.

DWP also promises in-depth guidance for people who face the biggest barriers: young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), under-18s who are not in school or college, and disabled people.

How do you get an appointment: phone, online or face to face?

Online through the Get careers information and advice page, by freephone on 0800 072 0288, with face-to-face appointments in Jobcentres starting later in October 2026.

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The separate free helpline for people aged 13 and over in England still runs on 0800 100 900, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 10am to 5pm. You can also ask an adviser to call you back, which costs nothing.

How is a careers adviser different from a work coach?

A work coach deals with benefit conditions and finding a job now; a careers adviser deals with where you go next — occupation, retraining and qualifications.

In practice the conversation is not "send ten more applications" but which skills you already have, which courses and qualifications make sense in your case, and what money is available for training. Course listings and funding — grants, Learner Support for people aged 19 and over, Advanced Learning Loans for those aged 24 and over — are set out on the GOV.UK skills and training pages.

How much is the government spending on employment support?

DWP names two headline figures: £2.5 billion for youth employment support and £3.5 billion for support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.

The youth money is described as almost a million opportunities to earn and learn. All of it feeds into the new Jobs and Careers Service that DWP is assembling piece by piece; careers advisers in Jobcentres are the latest piece. Another is Work Hub, the 24/7 AI work assistant we covered separately.

What should you do if you have just arrived and are looking for a first job?

The order is simple: National Insurance number, free English classes if you need them, then careers advice and applications.

You cannot work legally without an NI number — our guide explains how to get one. Free ESOL English courses for people whose language is holding them back are collected here. Salaries and visa conditions by occupation are in our overview of working in England, and the latest vacancy figures show where the market is still moving.