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This Sunderland software firm is hoping to 'revolutionise' careers advice on GCSE results day

Geek Talent, the Sunderland-based software firm, has launched a new careers app just in time for GCSE results day amid hopes it will ‘revolutionise’ the way students access careers advice.

The GoCareer app aims to equip students with all the necessary information to help school leavers make informed decisions about their future careers and training choices.

Utilising peer-to-peer feedback and reviews about further education courses, students are given up-to-date information about courses and the student experience at colleges alongside FE choices data which provides assessments on colleges across the UK.

Developed in partnership with Sunderland College and Castleview School, the app allows Year 10 and 11 students to search for information relating to courses, apprenticeships and training courses.

Dominic Murphy, managing director of Geek Talent, which is based out of Sunderland Software City, said the app sets out to improve the careers advice available to students across the country so that students can make more informed choices.

He commented: “As the power of technology increases, people turn to it for support with decision-making. However, careers advice and guidance remains something that is offered face-to-face, despite the fact that today’s school leavers are a generation of digital natives.

“Offering an easy-to-access source of credible information about courses on offer and the various education providers offering them, we can ensure that every student finds the right place for them. That’s really powerful.”

The app itself was developed with assistance from the Northstar Foundation’s Fresh Ideas Fund, a £3m grant that supports those setting up voluntary, community and social enterprises in the North East.

Vikkie Morton, assistant principal at Sunderland College, added: “Students who choose to come to study with us often do so on the basis of strong recommendations from their peer group.

“GoCareer effectively creates a platform for students to share their experiences with those who may be considering coming to the college, and ultimately, there can be no better judge of Sunderland College and the work of our fantastic team, than those who study here.”

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