A successful week of bringing careers advice direct to local Southwest communities

The National Careers Service Southwest Bus Roadshow was a resounding success, making careers advice accessible to everyone by bringing expert guidance directly to the heart of local communities.

From Monday, 30th September to Friday, 4th October, the roadshow travelled to five key locations—Bristol, Salisbury, Exeter, Bournemouth, and Truro—offering free, professional careers advice to residents across the Southwest region.

The initiative aimed to reach individuals who might not otherwise have access to this level of support, ensuring that no one in need of career guidance was left behind.

Bringing careers advice to the Southwest region

At each stop, the roadshow’s specially equipped bus served as a mobile careers hub, offering one-on-one advice sessions with experienced advisers, information on training and development opportunities, and practical resources to help job seekers, career changers, and those looking to upskill.

The bus visited central locations in each city, making it convenient for residents to drop in and receive tailored guidance, whether they were looking for help with their CV, exploring new career paths, or seeking advice on local job opportunities.

Brendon Bone, Head of Service for the Southwest, expressed his enthusiasm for the week-long event: “It’s been an amazing week travelling across the southwest region, meeting customers, giving FREE careers advice, and working with local stakeholders and employers.”

A mobile careers hub offering personalised support

The roadshow not only provided much-needed support to individuals but also fostered collaboration with local businesses, community leaders, and stakeholders.

By working together, we were able to maximise the impact of the roadshow, ensuring that the communities we serve had access to the resources and networks they need to succeed in today’s job market.

Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East, who visited the roadshow in Bournemouth, praised the National Careers Service Southwest Bus Roadshow, saying: “It was fantastic to visit the roadshow and see first-hand how they are offering free, expert careers advice to our local community.

“The initiative is providing much-needed employment support across the region, helping individuals navigate their career paths with confidence.

“What stood out to me was how friendly and accessible all the careers advisers are—each of them brings a wealth of experience and expertise, along with deep local knowledge of employment opportunities and training options in the region.

“This is exactly the kind of service that can make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Commitment to accessible careers advice for all

The initiative is a testament to the National Careers Service Southwest’s commitment to making high-quality careers advice accessible to all, regardless of location or circumstance.

By directly engaging with local communities, we’ve helped empower individuals across the region to take meaningful steps toward their career goals, while reinforcing the importance of tailored, expert guidance in shaping their professional futures.

Amy Carlton, Deputy Director of Careers Services, shared her thoughts on the National Careers Service Southwest Bus Roadshow, saying: “The Southwest team has worked incredibly hard to bring this roadshow together, providing valuable careers resources, advice, and guidance directly into local communities.

“Their dedication to making careers support accessible to all is truly inspiring and was great to join them on the tour to see the fantastic work they’re doing first-hand.”

Visitor feedback

Visitors had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with our expert advisers in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Whether they were just starting out in their career, returning to work after a break, or looking to advance in their current role, our advisers were equipped with the knowledge and resources to help them succeed.

In addition to the expert advice available on the bus, visitors had access to a range of informational materials and resources to take home.

One local resident from Exeter commented: “As soon as I saw the bus in Exeter, I had to come over and learn more.

“It’s such a great idea, and it’s amazing that all the advice is FREE! I even called my son, who’s been struggling to figure out what to do after leaving college and told him to come down.

“He was so relieved to have someone help him and give him some ideas about his options”.

Increasing the visibility of the National Careers Service across the Southwest

The visibility of the National Careers Service Southwest Bus was a key factor in the roadshow’s success.

The bright and prominently branded bus was hard to miss as it travelled through each region.

This visibility helped draw in local residents, curious to learn more about the free careers advice on offer.

In addition, the roadshow gained significant traction on social media, with dedicated posts and updates across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

The use of video, regional hashtags, engaging content, and collaboration with local stakeholders boosted online engagement and ensured the roadshow’s message reached an even broader audience across the Southwest.

Social media allowed us to highlight the bus’s journey and encourage attendance at each location.

About the National Careers Service

The National Careers Service provides free, impartial careers advice, information, and guidance to people of all ages.

Our mission is to empower individuals to make informed choices about their careers and education.

Through our network of experienced careers advisers, we offer personalised support to help people across the country achieve their full potential.

For more information about the Southwest Bus Roadshow or the services we offer, please visit our website at nationalcareers.service.gov.uk or call us on 0800 100 900