THE careers service is set for a shake-up in Bolton and Bury.

Government insistence on competitive bidding means that the service throughout the country will not necessarily continue to be run by local education authorities.

Locally, a partnership has been formed involving Bolton Bury training and Enterprise Council, the Bolton and Bury local authorities, education representatives and major companies such as Norweb and TNT.

The Bolton and Bury bid has gone to the Government and a decision will be made in December with a view to the new service becoming operational in April, 1996.

Its activities will be run by a management board.

There is expected to be competition for the five-year contract from organisations outside the area.

Norman Garner, education executive at BBTEC, said: "We intend to form a new independent company to provide the highest quality guidance, information and recruitment services for individuals and employers."

The proposals include high profile, shop-fronted Advice and Information Centres offering a range of services to people of all ages.

"It is important that the new look careers service is accessible for everyone, whether they are starting out on their career or wanting advice on changing direction," said Rob Abrahamsen, head of Bolton Careers Service.

Fred Bazeley, head of Bury Careers Service, said: "We want to keep the Careers Service right up to date with local employment, training and education by not only taking the message into schools but making it easy for anyone to get in touch with us as part of an all-age Careers Guidance Service."

It has not been decided where the new service would have its headquarters.

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