The UK's National Careers Service (NCS) has stirred controversy by offering short online courses, including tarot card reading and colour therapy, to job seekers. the initiative aims to provide comfort and alternative career paths, but some MPs argue it misallocates public resources for those not actively seeking traditional employment.

The $100 tarot card reading course

The NCS, established in 2012,provides free careers advice to individuals aged 13 and over.. Among its offerings is a $100 tarot card reading course that promises to help participants find work or provide comfort to others. The course is part of a broader initiative to offer diverse training options, but its inclusion has raised eyebrows among lawmakers.

Colour therapy: treating illness with hues

Another course under scrutiny is a ten-hour programme on colour therapy, which teaches trainees how to use colours to treat illnesses and balance energies in the body... While the NCS defends the course as a means of providing holistic support, critics question its practicality in the job market.

MPs voice concerns over public funding

Tory MP Joy Morrissey has expressed concern about the relevance of such training for those seeking employment. According to the report,Morrissey views the courses as an inappropriate use of public resources, particularly for individuals not looking to enter the workforce. The debate highlights a broader discussion about the role of public funding in alternative career training.

An echo of past controversies over public spending

This initiative is not the first time the NCS has faced criticism for its course offerings. In the past, similar programmes have been scrutinised for their perceived lack of relevance to traditional employment sectors. The current controversy echoes these past debates, raising questions about the balance between providing diverse training options and ensuring the effective use of public funds.