North East Combined Authority Pilots CiCi AI Careers Chatbot with CareerChat UK

The North East Combined Authority (NECA) Careers Team has partnered with CareerChat UK to pilot CiCi, an AI-powered careers chatbot, across all seven local authority areas in the region:

• County Durham
  
• Gateshead
  
• Newcastle
  
• North Tyneside
  
• Northumberland
  
• South Tyneside
  
• Sunderland

Why CiCi Was Needed By North East Combined Authority During Exam Season

As students across the North East received their GCSE, A Level, T Level, and VTQ results in August 2025, the demand on careers advisers to provide timely, accurate, and empathetic support reached unprecedented levels. Recognising this challenge, the Regional Lead for North East Ambitions approached CareerChat UK with an innovative idea: could an AI chatbot help bridge the gap and provide students and teachers with instant trustworthy careers information and advice – with the option of a warm handover to a human adviser, if needed?

How CiCi Supports Students 24/7

Enter CiCi, a 24/7 AI-curated careers chatbot designed to support students, teachers and parents during one of the most stressful times of the academic year. Whether students were celebrating top grades or facing unexpected outcomes, CiCi delivered immediate, reliable career information and advice, helping learners navigate next steps with confidence. From advice on apprenticeships and further study options to insights on local job opportunities, CiCi ensures students can explore options at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. It is also there as a valuable resource to parents and teachers.

To ensure a smooth rollout, the North East Combined Authority hosted three dedicated training sessions for approximately 80+ careers advisers across the region. Led by CareerChat UK, these sessions equipped advisers with the knowledge and skills to maximise CiCi’s potential. The CareerChat UK team also continues to provide ongoing support, helping advisers integrate AI-driven guidance into their day-to-day work while maintaining the essential human touch.

CiCi is not just a digital assistant; it is a carefully curated AI-powered careers companion. The chatbot can provide personalised responses based on student interests, stage of career exploration, and local opportunities. Unlike generic AI tools, CiCi has been designed with safeguarding measures, ensuring that all student interactions are safe, professional, and aligned with UK career development best practices. If a query is beyond the chatbot’s scope, it seamlessly escalates to a qualified careers adviser, maintaining a high standard of support.

The North East Combined Authority’s Forward-Thinking Approach

This pilot initiative by the North East Combined Authority’s Careers Team goes beyond exam results. NECA plans to maintain access to CiCi across all seven local authorities through to late autumn, demonstrating a long-term commitment to leveraging AI to enhance careers support in schools and colleges. By combining human expertise with advanced technology, NECA is ensuring that every student in the North East has access to personalised, reliable, and timely career support – no matter their circumstances or location.

Benefits for Students, Teachers, Parents and Careers Advisers

The benefits are clear:

• Immediate careers information and advice: Students, teachers and parents can receive instant answers to questions about courses, apprenticeships, or local job opportunities.
  
• Time-saving for : Careers teams in education institutions can focus on high-value tasks while CiCi handles routine frequently asked questions or queries.
  
• Personalised learning: CiCi adapts its responses to match a student’s stage of career decision-making.
  
• Safe and ethical support: Built-in safeguarding ensures interactions are secure and professional.
  
• Accessible anywhere: From mobile phones, laptops, PCs and intranet systems students and staff can explore career options and live opportunities at their convenience.
  

The North East Combined Authority’s pilot aligns with wider regional strategies, including NECA’s ambitions to improve employment outcomes, upskill the local workforce, and ensure equitable access to careers guidance across the North East. By introducing CiCi, NECA is also setting a precedent for other regional authorities considering the integration of AI into career development services.

Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE, Co-Founding Director of CareerChat UK, commented:
“CiCi is designed to empower students to explore career options on their own terms while ensuring they always have access to human support if needed. Partnering with the North East Combined Authority allows us to bring this innovation to the heart of the region and support young people at a pivotal moment in their education.”

This collaboration between the North East Combined Authority and CareerChat UK represents a forward-thinking approach to careers education, information, advice and guidance. By combining the scale and accessibility of AI with the expertise of local expert advisers, NECA is demonstrating how technology can complement traditional careers services rather than replace them. The pilot provides a model for other local /combined authorities looking to innovate while maintaining professional standards and safeguarding.

With AI tools like CiCi, the North East is taking a leading role in transforming careers support, ensuring every student has access to reliable guidance and a pathway to their chosen future. As the pilot progresses, NECA and CareerChat UK are committed to learning from the programme, refining the chatbot, and exploring how AI can continue to support students beyond the initial rollout.

The North East Combined Authority is proving that the future of careers guidance is a partnership between people and technology, providing students with the tools, insights, and confidence they need to make informed decisions and achieve their goals.

Find out how you can embed CiCi into your local authority.