Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has welcomed proposals to establish a new, national, all age careers guidance service for Scotland.

Plans to bring together the present careers service companies, adult guidance networks, education business partnerships and lifelong learning partnerships into one organisation - to be called 'Careers Scotland' - were announced in the Scottish Parliament today [THURS 11 January] by Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister Wendy Alexander.

Sandy Cumming, HIE's chief executive, said the creation of Careers Scotland, which would be aligned with the country's two enterprise networks, reflected the importance of skills and lifelong learning in developing the country's economy.

"The idea of streamlining the present range of companies, networks and partnerships into one cohesive service looks like good sense both from the customer's point of view and in terms of economic development," said Mr Cumming.

"Aligning Careers Scotland with the enterprise networks would place careers guidance services firmly at the heart of our agenda to develop skills, grow businesses and strengthen communities.

"At the same time, the creation of a single, unified service ought to cut down some of the confusion which exists at present and make it easier for more clients to access appropriate careers guidance.

"We look forward to studying the Minister's proposals in detail and playing a full part in the coming consultation."