The Department for the Economy’s Careers Service offers impartial careers guidance support to all Year 12 pupils (approx 20,000 pupils) 
The new online form removes the need for a paper application, it strengthens information assurance/information governance and overall provides a better user experience; and, of course its timely launch means pupils can complete the form at home, engaging their parents, which is very helpful in the current circumstances. It is also more cost effective as it removes annual printing costs.
This year more than ever it is important for young people to plan ahead, and this application form gives them the opportunity to do so. They are not only encouraged to think about academic subjects, but their hobbies, likes and dislikes and consider a career path suitable to them.
By completing the online application form in advance of entering Year 12 pupils have the opportunity to apply for a careers guidance interview with a professionally qualified careers adviser when they return to school after the summer break.
The new online form will also provide better management information for the Careers Service including details on pupil subject choice which will let us gauge those subjects in demand/decline across NI, what pupils are thinking of doing after school, getting a job, going into training, apprenticeship, going to college etc. This information will be valuable as we develop future policy decisions.
The new form will also gather a range of user feedback information and will lets us evaluate the user’s current career thinking and how they feel about their future career prospects.
This new application process has created a high level of flexibility for young people as it is accessible using any mobile device and can be completed at any time, including during the summer holidays, by accessing it via an icon either on the pupil's C2k desktop, or via the green launch button on nidirect.
A new online application for adults will be coming on board from August 2020!!