All-age guidance - public, private or welfare service?

The emphasis upon the creation of a culture of lifelong learning propels th e issue of accessibility to guidance for adults into the limelight. The Car eers Service and other careers guidance providers have demonstrated a commi tment to all-age guidance in the absence of a coherent policy or resource f ramework. Following 'contracting out: Careers Services are wrestling with t he ambiguities inherent in the 'private company-public service' equation. T hese are compounded by the continuing absence of clarity at policy level re garding the development of all-age guidance. The central question remains t hat of how a service, with benefits accruing to the individual, the communi ty and the economy, is most appropriately funded and delivered.