Careers Advisor
Useful Links
https://www.thecdi.net/GettingQualified
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs/job-profile/careers-adviser
https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance
https://www.agcas.org.uk/Training-and-Conferences
Job Profiles:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/careers-adviser
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/careers-adviser
https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description
Higher education careers adviser :
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/higher-education-careers-adviser
Careers advisers provide information, advice and guidance to help people make realistic choices about their education, training and work
As a careers adviser you'll provide impartial job, training and study-related advice in order to help clients make decisions about their future and reach their full potential. You may cover issues such as:
options for suitable careers
how to write a good CV and cover letter
the job application process
the current labour market
skills development
suitable training courses
available funding for courses and training.
Qualifications
There are two main ways to qualify as a careers adviser:
take a specialist postgraduate careers guidance qualification
train on-the-job in the workplace.
Graduates with a degree in any subject can apply to do a Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Career Development, which incorporates the CDI-awarded Qualification in Career Development. Courses are available at several universities and take one year full time or two years part time to complete.
Although you'll typically need to have a degree, some providers will accept applicants with equivalent professional qualifications or suitable relevant experience. Courses include a mix of academic learning and work placements.
Alternatively, if you already work for a careers organisation, you could train on the job. Qualifications include the:
QCF Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice - for those providing careers information and advice, but not guidance
QCF Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development - for those providing careers guidance and development.
Another option is to take a Career Development Professional Higher Apprenticeship, which is a Level 6, two-year apprenticeship.
For more information on the different training options and providers, see the CDI website.
To get a place on a course, you'll also need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme in Scotland) check.
Although not always essential, the majority of employers will look for those who have, or who are willing to work towards, a relevant careers qualification.
Employers
You can work in a range of settings in the public, private and voluntary sectors, including schools, colleges and local authorities.
The National Careers Service, available in England, is one of the largest employers of careers advisers. Funded and managed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), it runs an online and telephone advice service for anyone over the age of 13. It also has local offices throughout England, which offer face-to-face appointments to adults over 19.
You could be employed at a National Careers Service telephone service centre or in one of their local offices. Work is contracted out to different careers organisations, and premises can include:
schools or further education colleges
jobcentres
training providers
libraries
community centres
probation offices
housing associations
healthcare settings
charities
places of worship
local authorities.
It's also possible to work within consultancies or large businesses, advising employees on career management.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland careers advisers work for all-age guidance services. For more information, see:
My World of Work (Skills Development Scotland)
nidirect: Careers (Northern Ireland)
With experience, you can also work on a freelance/self-employed basis.
Look for job vacancies at:
Careers in Careers - the Career Development Institute recruitment website
CAREER VIDEOS
Sam Forsyth Careers Adviser at Blackpool Sixth Form
Discusses her role: including how to become a careers adviser and the best/ hardest parts.