Each Career VOOC® is designed to provide career seekers with a “warts and all” insight into working in that particular sector.  Using a range of multimedia tools, it will provide users with an introduction to key job roles, skills requirements, and progress routes.

On registration, users are allocated the suite of ten Career VOOC®s. They can then explore an imaginary town that has a range of employers to visit (retailers, care homes, doctors, nursery, hospital, manufacturers, councils, banks, builders, hotel, bus/rail station, etc.) to see what the various job roles entail.

As the users complete each Career VOOC®, they can indicate their level of interest and access enhanced guidance – virtual careers advisor, work experience and volunteering ideas. Work is underway to link this guidance to job vacancies and employers, both on a local and national basis, providing a complete career journey.

In addition to introducing the users to the skills development routes (such as short courses, traineeships, apprenticeships, and degrees), they will be signposted to local and national training providers. They will also be given access to discounted further-development opportunities including CV-bolstering e-modules, employability, and technical-certificate eLearning resources.

Chris Kirk, City & Guilds’ Head of UK Customer Strategy and Marketing, commented, “As the first sponsor of the Career VOOC®, we are excited about how we can help young people make truly informed choices - something that is very difficult with traditional careers guidance.

"We look forward to working with Virtual College to make the Health & Social Care VOOC® a huge success." The Health & Social Care VOOC® will be promoted by and be available from Virtual College and City & Guilds from July.