Adult guidance worker

Adult guidance workers help people think about their career, and learning and training opportunities

You'll explain the options available to the people you work with, helping them to make informed choices about their future. You'll offer information, advice and guidance (IAG) on education, training and work opportunities.

You'll often work with people at times of transition, such as redundancy, health issues, or a desire or need to change career. You may work with individuals or groups in a variety of settings.

You may work as part of a team in a large organisation or as a sole operator in a voluntary group. Some aspects of the role can also overlap with those of a careers adviser.

The role is known by different titles, such as education guidance worker, personal adviser and welfare adviser.

Types of adult guidance worker

Adult guidance worker roles include:

• personal advisers - within Jobcentres and for the National Careers Service
• welfare advisers - in contracted organisations or for Citizens Advice.

Responsibilities

As an adult guidance worker, you'll need to:

• provide advice to clients in person, via email, online or over the telephone
• manage a caseload that often consists of a specific client group
• support marginalised or hard to reach groups, including unemployed or disabled individuals, adults with health and social needs or learning difficulties, and those with few educational qualifications
• conduct assessments and interviews and design, as well as deliver, group sessions aimed at building employability skills
• use a variety of assessment tools, such as personality tests, computer-based interest guides, skills inventories and diagnostic tools
• build up and maintain knowledge of information resources on education, training and work and signpost clients accordingly
• organise local jobs fairs and maintain job boards
• keep up to date with information on local opportunities, educational programmes, job markets and training courses
• refer clients to other agencies, such as government agencies, training providers or specialist organisations, and advocate for them where necessary
• liaise closely with welfare, finance and careers services
• undertake outreach work, such as visiting community groups to talk about learning opportunities
• secure, carry out and monitor contracts, such as those from the National Careers Service
• meet targets and report to funders
• bid for additional funding and projects, followed by writing contracts and reports
• develop and maintain a network of contacts with other providers of IAG, joining relevant professional associations where possible
• undertake administrative tasks, such as setting up and maintaining client records, conducting audits, recording statistical data and producing management reports
• work towards and maintain accreditation with quality frameworks such as the matrix Standard or Investors in People
• work with local further and higher education institutions on initiatives designed to widen participation, such as 'taster' or funded courses.

Salary

• Starting salaries can be in the region of £21,000 to £25,000 and vary depending on your location, the type of organisation you work for and your experience.
• With experience, you can typically earn between £25,000 and £35,000.
• Senior advisers and managers can earn in excess of £35,000.

Salary levels vary widely. Salaries in the voluntary sector tend to be lower than in large organisations, such as universities.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are usually 9am to 5pm, although occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

There are opportunities for part-time, hybrid and contract work.

What to expect

• Temporary and fixed-term posts are common with contracts dependent on the renewal of funding.
• Advisers usually have an office base but typically undertake information and guidance work in a range of environments including public libraries, community centres, Jobcentres, prisons, hostels and even shopping centres. You may be involved in work with a particular employer or employment sector. An increasing amount of information and guidance activity takes place via email and online.
• The work may be challenging. Working with clients who may have low aspirations can demand huge amounts of energy. Ethical dilemmas may arise where there's a conflict between targets, such as employment outcomes, and the needs of the client. It can also be extremely rewarding when you are able help clients achieve their aims.
• Travel between venues and appointments during the working day is common. Overnight absence from home is occasionally required, usually for professional training and conferences.

Qualifications

This area of work is open to graduates of any subject. Personal qualities and skills are equally important, as well as evidence of real commitment to, and interest in, the fields of education, training and employment and the needs of adult learners.

Entry without a degree or HND is possible for those with relevant experience who are prepared to train on the job.

After gaining some useful experience, many graduate entrants go on to complete a professional qualification, such as the Qualification in Career Development (QCD), available at Postgraduate Diploma or Masters level, awarded by the Career Development Institute (CDI).

Postgraduate training in counselling, teaching, youth work or social work is also helpful.

The CDI also offers the Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development, a work-based qualification for those whose role involves providing personal career guidance and development to clients.

It's also possible to do a two-year Level 6 Career Development Professional apprenticeship. Apprenticeships combine paid work with study for a qualification, meaning you can train on the job. The qualification element of the training must be any qualification currently accepted for the UK Register of Career Development Professionals.

There may be considerable competition for jobs. Keep up to date with current issues and read relevant publications and websites to help improve your chances. Consider joining a professional association such as the CDI as a student member and start networking by attending events and meetings.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with clients from diverse backgrounds
• empathy, patience and the ability to establish a rapport with clients as you will often be helping them to navigate significant life transitions
• a non-judgemental and objective approach, particularly when working with clients on sensitive issues
• assertiveness and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• presentation and facilitation skills
• listening and questioning skills
• the ability to work well as part of a team, but also to work independently and use your initiative
• organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively
• the ability to meet targets and deadlines
• administrative and IT skills to write reports and maintain accurate records
• research skills and the ability to manage large amounts of information
• commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.

This is an area where work and life experience are valued. The role is often a second or even third career for many people.

Work experience

Guidance companies sometimes offer trainee posts to people with relevant experience and suitable personal skills and qualities. Training in careers guidance, plus some initial experience, may lead to opportunities in adult guidance.

Pre-entry experience is essential and work in any of the following areas would be useful:

• community work
• counselling
• education
• human resources
• mainstream careers work
• social work
• welfare advice.

A background in interviewing or customer service can also be helpful.

Voluntary experience is just as valuable as paid experience and will provide clear evidence of your commitment. A good place to search for volunteering opportunities is your local branch of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA). Find your local NAVCA centre.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

The number and type of organisations that employ staff in IAG functions has expanded over recent years. You may need to look beyond the job title to identify opportunities, as only a few are advertised under the title of adult guidance worker.

Organisation and funding structures vary across the UK, and this affects the types of employment available.

Adult guidance in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland is mainly delivered by:

• Careers Service Northern Ireland
• Careers Wales
• Skills Development Scotland

In England, a careers advice service is offered by the National Careers Service and private careers companies.

Opportunities for employment may also arise in:

• colleges
• community, voluntary and charity organisations
• private careers consultancies
• private industry.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Charity People
• Advice Jobs
• LG Jobs
• Careers in Careers

It's worth actively networking to find out who is delivering services in your location.

Professional development

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for keeping up to date with changes in the job market, education and training so that you can provide the best possible support to your clients. You can do this by joining a relevant professional association such as the CDI and by attending workshops, training sessions, courses and conferences.

If you don't already have it, you can study for the Qualification in Career Development (QCD), awarded by the CDI, either full time or part time at several universities across the UK. All programmes are at Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) Level 7 (equivalent SCQF Level 11 in Scotland), and most can be topped up to a full Masters degree within a year.

CPD is an important aspect of guidance work, and practitioners are expected to be reflective, constantly evaluating and developing their work. Employers will also generally expect you to keep up to date with government policy and labour market trends through your own research.

Career prospects

Adult guidance workers often progress from other roles, such as careers adviser, personal adviser, or adult or community education worker, into a specialist adult guidance role.

Career development may be horizontal, for example providing the opportunity to develop research skills by undertaking a project on the needs of a particular group. Sometimes career moves are forced by changes in funding and contract requirements.

There is some scope for promotion to team-leader roles. Team leaders support their colleagues with their training and development and in some cases undertake formal supervision.

Various management roles exist, with responsibility for managing a team, project or budget or other work such as bid writing or staff training and development. Management roles usually mean less opportunity for client contact.

Experienced guidance workers may be able to secure freelance work as writers, researchers or consultants, although this tends to be more prevalent in the higher education (HE) or private sector.