In December 2006 the Leitch Review of Skills was published. This emphasises the importance of labour market information in providing the requisite careers advice and support to clients. It recommends the establishment of a new, universal careers service for England that places 'labour market focused' advice at its heart:

In England, a new universal adult careers service, learning from those elsewhere in the UK, providing a universal source of labour market focused, accessible careers advice for adults. (p.22)

For an earlier example, a 2005 review focused on the reform of further education and the challenge of developing skills. The review of further education emphasises the need for 'a relentless focus on the needs of learners and business as the criteria for progress' (p.6) ¹. In so doing, the review finds that learners report how 'information, advice and guidance is out of date, fragmented and ill informed' (p.39). It also criticises the lack of comprehensive services for adults 'when and where they need it' (p.40). About different information sources, the review states that:

As a matter of principle, the Government should ensure that the different systems and information sources that exist to help people navigate learner pathways are made more learner-focused, understandable and accessible to improve choice.

Regarding information provided to learndirect, the review states:

As a condition of receiving public funding, providers should also be under an obligation to keep the information for these external signposting services current and helpful to potential learners.

In a second review, of skills in the UK², the 'information failure' is highlighted as one of the problems to be overcome by a skills policy (p.112). In this context, information failure is defined as follows:

Information failure occurs when the information available to individuals and firms is incomplete or not good enough, or when some have more or different information to others. This might be information about the quality and content of courses or the returns they might gain if they complete a course.

The crucial need for careers information in meeting the economy's skills needs was further highlighted in the prospectus for National Skills Academies (2005/2006). This stipulates that the new Academies will:

Play a leading part in developing careers guidance materials for use throughout their sector's network on the skills and qualifications needed for successful (employment in that sector)

So LMI Matters to governments and is therefore reflected in policy documents.

The Leitch review of December 2006 is likely to be of particular significance to the careers guidance sector, placing LMI firmly at the centre of guidance, and arguably restoring its status after some years in the wilderness of guidance work in England. What do you think - just how important is LMI to governments and why?

Should those with an interest in guidance work celebrate this enthusiasm for LMI or view it with suspicion?