Careers and Progression Adviser

We're looking for someone to join our Royal Leamington Spa team as a Careers and Progression Adviser on a permanent, part time, term time only basis.

• £26,913 pro rata, per annum for candidates working towards Level 6, this is £19,245.87 based on 29.5 hours per week, Term Time Only: 40 weeks
• £29,562 pro rata, per annum for candidates qualified to Level 6, this is £21,140.21 based on 29.5 hours per week, Term Time Only: 40 weeks

For any roles that start part way through the academic year, the annual salary will be pro rata to the remaining months.

Please note the base is Leamington Spa, but travel to other campuses may be required based on business need and to attend meeting or training. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8.30 - 16.30, Thursday 8.30 - 16.00.

BACKGROUND TO THE POST

The WCG Careers Team works across all colleges to ensure WCG students are well informed about career opportunities and equipped with the skills to achieve their career goals. The team provides a range of services which support student recruitment, retention, achievement and progression.

The team holds the matrix quality standard for impartial information, advice and guidance and was awarded the Quality in Careers Standard in 2022. This role provides an opportunity for an already trained careers adviser to develop their skills and work in a fast moving and progressive Further Education College. The role could also provide an opportunity for someone who is new to careers advice and guidance to be trained by a sector leading Careers Team and be fully supported to become qualified after completing the probation period. The successful candidate will be expected to have Careers Advice and Guidance qualifications or if not be prepared to work towards them. Full training and support will be given.

The position is Term Time Only (40 Weeks) 29.5 hours per week.

The successful candidate will be based at WCG’s Royal Leamington Spa Campus but will also require travel to other campus and to any local premises where WCG provide services including local schools. All members of the careers team are required to be back in work for GCSE results and enrolments that generally take place from around the beginning of the last week of August.

The post reports to the Head of Careers and Information.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide careers advice and guidance to all levels of students in FE and HE and potential students. Have a strong knowledge of pathways (College, University, Job, Apprenticeship and other destinations) to ensure students can make an informed choice about their future.

• To support WCG with the ongoing implementation of the Gatsby Benchmarks.

• Conducting impartial one-to-one careers interviews, drop-in sessions, e-guidance and telephone guidance with all levels of students (part-time, full-time, FE, HE, and adults) and prospective WCG students. Referring to external agencies where appropriate.

• Work with SEN students and offer ongoing support.

• To support the college UCAS process; offering advice, guidance and training to students applying to Higher Education via UCAS and to support teaching staff with the process.

• Take responsibility for the organisation, design and delivery of events for the benefit of students and prospective students e.g. induction, careers fairs and support departments to create and further wider industry links with employers.

• To support the college tutorial programme and design and deliver careers education workshops to all levels of learner (Level 1 to Level 6), on topics relating to employability and next steps e.g. Career Planning, Job Search, CVs, Interview Skills, Apprenticeships, Higher Education and progression.

• Support student recruitment by attending internal and external events which will include hosting school visits to college, supporting with school taster events in college and providing support at school events e.g. careers fairs as directed by the Head of Careers and Information.

• Liaise with Personal Learning Adviser’s, Head of Departments, Industry Placement Coordinators and other college staff to support students’ achievement and progression.

• Undertake training and continuous professional development to keep up to date with local and national initiatives, and in particular adhere to the CPD requirements of the Career Development Institute (CDI).

• Record, document monitor, evaluate and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of all activities and their impact on student retention and achievement.

• Follow College quality assurance procedures and contribute to the drawing up of the self-assessment report and development plan for the team, and support the ongoing achievement of quality standard e.g. Matrix and Quality in Careers

The list of duties is not exhaustive but outlines the main features of the post at appointment and may vary as the job evolves without affecting the nature of the duties or the responsibility level.

Essential Attainments

• GCSE C or above in English and Mathematics, or Level 2 equivalent qualification, or willingness to work towards once in post.

• A level 6 qualification in careers advice and guidance or equivalent careers guidance qualification or the willingness to work towards it.

• Working knowledge of information technology such as e-mail, the internet and other software applications.

• Excellent administrative and organisational skills.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• A UK driving licence free of major endorsements and the use of a motor vehicle or the ability to find alternative means to travel regularly between college sites and local schools and to attend business related activities at any college that would satisfy the recruiting panel.