Careers Adviser
What is the work like?
Careers advisers support people who need to make decisions about their education, training and work options.
As a careers adviser you could help clients with any of the following:
- assessing their abilities, interests and achievements
- finding learning and work opportunities
- using careers information and resources
- making choices which are realistic and suited to their circumstances
- looking at available options
- making a plan of action to achieve their aims
- supporting them in carrying out the action plan.
Your work would also include:
- developing working relationships with employers, colleges, universities and training providers
- keeping up to date with occupational and labour market information
- giving talks and leading discussions
- keeping records and doing other administrative tasks.
As a careers adviser in the Connexions service you would work with young people aged between 13 and 19, and would be known as a personal adviser. As well as providing careers information and guidance, you would also support young people with a range of personal development and welfare issues. To find out more see the Personal Adviser (Connexions) job profile.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You can qualify as a careers adviser in either of the following ways:
- Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG)
- work-based route.
Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG)
This is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course which combines the Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance. On the course you would combine academic study with work-based learning. Most people entering this course have a degree, but you may also be accepted with relevant experience, so you should check with course providers.
Visit the Institute of Career Guidance website for details of colleges and universities providing the QCG.
Work-based route
If you are already employed by an organisation that provides careers guidance services you can work towards NVQ levels 3 and 4 in Advice and Guidance.
You may be able to start in a customer support or administration role in an advice or guidance organisation and complete NVQ Level 2 in Advice and Guidance Support.
NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance is suitable if you are providing information and advice. If you want to provide careers guidance you would need NVQ Level 4. See the ICG website for details of the awarding bodies providing the NVQ.
To work with young people and other vulnerable groups you would need CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) clearance.
What further training and development can I do?
To work as a personal adviser in the Connexions service you would need further in-service training after qualifying as a careers adviser. See the Personal Adviser (Connexions) profile and the Connexions website for details.
As a careers adviser you can develop your skills and knowledge by doing a qualification at Masters level. See the Institute of Career Guidance (ICG) website for details.
As a member of the ICG with at least a level 4 qualification, relevant experience and evidence of continuing professional development (CPD), you can join the ICG Register of Guidance Practitioners. This is a way of showing the public and employers that you are a qualified practitioner. See the ICG website for information about membership and the CPD framework for members.
Where can I go for more information?
Copthall House
1 New Road
Stourbridge
DY8 1PH
Tel: 01384 376464
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries can be from around £18,000 to £20,000 a year.
- This can rise to around £27,000.
- Senior advisers can earn up to £35,000.
There are no national salary scales, and earnings vary between employers. Short-term contracts are becoming increasingly common.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday, perhaps with some evening work.
You could work in a range of locations, including schools, colleges, universities and adult information, advice and guidance services, usually seeing clients on an appointment system. Your job could include a lot of local travel.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the ability to develop working relationships with a wide range of people
- good listening and questioning skills
- the ability to research information and explain it clearly
- organisational and time-management skills
- the ability to work under pressure and meet targets
- confidence in group situations
- administrative, report writing and record keeping skills
- computer skills
- commitment to equal opportunities.
What opportunities are there?
You could be employed as a careers adviser with the Connexions service (for 13 to 19 year olds), the nextstep service (for people aged over 20), colleges and universities, the voluntary and private sectors, and independent career development consultancies. Visit the Institute of Career Guidance website for details of these organisations.
With experience you could progress to a supervisory or management position, or become self-employed, perhaps as a consultant, researcher or writer.
You could choose to specialise, for example in working with adults, people with special needs, or the unemployed. Another option could be to move into industry, providing information, advice and guidance on career management for employees of large companies.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Portico
The Guardian
Agcas
Times Higher Education
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