Careers advisers support people who need to make decisions about education, training and work.

They may help clients with any of the following:

• assessing their abilities, interests and achievements
• finding learning and work opportunities
• using computer software, careers information and other resources
• making choices which are realistic and suited to their circumstances
• evaluating available options
• making a plan of action to achieve their aims
• supporting them in carrying out the action plan.

Their work also includes:

• developing working relationships with employers, higher and further education institutions, training providers and other organisations
• keeping up to date with occupational and labour market information
• giving talks and leading discussions
• keeping records and doing other administrative tasks.

In England, careers advisers working with 13- to 19-year-olds in the Connexions Service are known as personal advisers. As well as providing career information and guidance, they also support young people with a range of personal development and welfare issues. To find out more see the Personal Adviser (Connexions) profile.

Hours and Environment

As a careers adviser you will usually work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday, perhaps with some evening work.

You could work in a range of settings, including schools, colleges, universities and adult information, advice and guidance services, usually seeing clients on an appointment system. You are likely to do quite a lot of local travel so a driving licence is useful.

Skills and Interests

To be a careers adviser you need:

• the ability to establish working relationships with a wide range of people
• good listening and questioning skills 
• the ability to research information and explain it in a way that can be easily understood
• organisational and time-management skills 
• the ability to work under pressure
• confidence to work in large or small group situations
• administrative, report writing and record keeping skills
• computer skills
• commitment to equal opportunities.

Entry

Most people entering careers adviser training have degrees. It is useful to have experience of working with young people (paid or voluntary).

You can qualify as a careers adviser in one of the following ways:

Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG)
This is a one year full-time or two year part-time course which combines academic study with work-based learning. It is a postgraduate qualification, so to get on to the course you will need either to have a degree or be able to show that you are capable of studying at this level.

Visit the Institute of Career Guidance (ICG) website details of colleges and universities offering the QCG - there is a link to the website in Further Information below. 

Work-based route
If you are already employed by an organisation providing career guidance services you can work towards NVQ/SVQ levels 3 and 4 in Advice and Guidance. Details of the awarding bodies providing the NVQ/SVQ are on the ICG website. NVQ Level 3 is suitable if you are providing information and advice, you will need Level 4 if you want to give careers guidance.

The foundation degree in Working with Young People and Young People's Services is an option for gaining the initial education and training you will need to work with young people in a range of contexts, including careers guidance.  If you do not have relevant experience, you will usually need a Level 3 qualification such as 2 A levels or a relevant NVQ at level 3, but entry requirements vary between different providers, so you should check with them.

For more information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward at: www.fdf.ac.uk

The ICG website lists universities offering the foundation degree.

Training

If you want to work as a personal  the Connexions service after qualifying as a careers adviser you will need further in-service training to become personal advisers. For details, see the Personal Adviser (Connexions) profile and the Connexions website. 

You can develop your skills and knowledge by doing a qualification at Masters level. These are available at a number of universities - see the Institute of Career Guidance (ICG) website for details. There is a link to the site in Further Information below.

As a member of ICG with a level 4 qualification or above, relevant experience and evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) you can join the ICG Register of Guidance Practitioners. This is a way of gaining recognition with the public and employers of being a qualified practitioner.

Opportunities

Careers advisers may work with:

• the Connexions service (for 13 to 19 year olds) in England
• the nextstep service (for those aged over 20) in England
• Careers Scotland (an all-age service)
• Careers Wales
• Careers Service in Northern Ireland (which is part of the Department for Employment and Learning)
• colleges and universities
• the private sector

Visit the Institute of Career Guidance website for information about  these organisations - there is a link in Further Information below. 

When you have gained experience you could have the opportunity for promotion into a supervisory or management post, 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. 

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only. 

Starting salaries can be around £18,000 to £20,000 a year.
Qualified practitioners can earn around £24,000 a year.
Progression to middle management and specialist posts can lead to a salary of up to £35,000 a year.

Further information

3rd Floor
Copthall House
1 New Road
Stourbridge
DY8 1PH
Tel: 01384 376464