As a careers adviser you would support people who need to make decisions about their education, training and work options.

You could help clients with any of the following issues:

• 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 (LMI)
• giving talks and leading discussions
• keeping records and completing 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 Connexions Personal Adviser job profile.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

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

• higher education route – Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance/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 includes 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 (ICG) 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.

NVQs will be phased out by the end 2010 and will be replaced by new work-based qualifications. These are:

• Level 3 Award for Supporting Clients to Overcome Barriers To Learning and Work
• Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice
• Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development.

The existing higher education route will continue to be available as a full-time/part-time alternative to the above work-based qualifications. Visit the LLUK website for more information on the new qualifications.

• LLUK – career guidance page

To work with young people and other vulnerable groups you would need Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance.

• Criminal Records Bureau

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 Connexions Personal Adviser profile for details.

As a careers adviser you can develop your skills and knowledge by completing a qualification at Masters level. See the Iinstitute of Career Guidance 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.