EXPERTS will be on hand to help Somerset students plan their next move after they get their A and AS level results on August 19 – no matter where they are in the world.

Careers advisers from Connect South West will be available to offer information, advice and guidance via Advisor On-line as well as at Connexions access points across the county.

Connect South West chief executive Rachel Bendall said: “We are always looking at ways of improving access to our services and this year we have launched Advisor On-line which means our advisers can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

“Web chat means that young people from Somerset can seek information, advice and guidance from our advisers if they are away on holiday or in Somerset but cannot get to one of our centres or access points.

“Students and their parents or carers can post their questions and queries via our website at www.connexions-somerset.org.uk/adviseronline and will be able to get answers from one of our careers and skills advisers.”

As usual the centres across Somerset will be open to help students who may need to re-assess their options – the message is not to panic and be ready to explore all possibilities.

Rachel Bendall added: “Whether exam results are better than expected or you are disappointed with your results there is a wide range of opportunities to explore, many of which will provide both new and exciting options that you may not have previously considered.

“We have got all the up-to-date information and we are here to help. Talk to one of our advisers – you have nothing to lose and potentially so much to gain.

“This could be a different course at the same university or elsewhere, an apprenticeship, a gap year or a spell doing useful voluntary work.”

Connect South West will work flat out to give free, accessible and confidential advice to students, and other young people who may need guidance, in the coming weeks.

The adviser online facility will be available from August 19 to August 31.

For the out-of-hours telephone helpline call 08080-013219, text 07766-413219 or log on to the website at the Related Link below.