Introduction
Careers education and guidance is designed to help young people
realise their full potential. Local government careers
teachers help students to understand themselves, develop their
capabilities, investigate opportunities and implement their career
plans and to make an informed choice about education, training and
employment. Careers teachers in local government might also
be known as a careers co-ordinators. Many careers teachers
also have other subject specialisms.
Work Environment
Local government careers teachers are based mostly in schools but
could also involve visiting universities, colleges and other
workplaces. The job might require some evening work in
addition to the standard teaching week.
Daily Activities
Local government careers teachers/co-ordinators are specialist
teachers who manage and deliver a programme of careers education
and guidance (CEG). They draw on other staff, careers companies,
parents, business and other partners to ensure that the pupils get
the service to which they are entitled. Schools are expected
to decide how they will provide careers education and guidance
(CEG).
They may choose to establish:
- discrete time-tabled lessons by specialist staff;
- a pastoral scheme taught by tutors;
- short modules within the curriculum;
- integrated CEG with other subjects across the curriculum.
Whichever model is chosen, the careers teacher will be a key
member and sometimes leader of a whole staff team that helps pupils
manage their future learning and career choice. The key
elements of any effective scheme would entail:
- identifying the need for CEG in terms of supporting overall
school goals and objectives - regarding equal opportunities and
raising achievement, for example, and devising and monitoring an
acceptable careers guidance scheme;
- planning and designing CEG programmes to take account of
opportunities for pupils to acquire the skills needed to make best
use of careers information;
- organising staff training;
- keeping up to date with the developments in labour market
trends and opportunities in education and training;
- delivering CEG by directing and supporting
colleagues;
- maintaining accurate and accessible information, including
printed, audio visual and information technology materials;
- organising work experience for pupils through visits to
factories, offices and other places of work and arranging short
work placements for them during their school vacations;
- structuring action plans and records so that pupils can monitor
their career planning;
- working with partners in the careers service/industry and
parents;
- establishing contacts with further and higher education, youth
and community organisations, employers, trades unions and training
providers and involving them in the partnership;
- evaluating and developing CEG by setting up CEG monitoring
systems.
Skills & Interests
Local government careers teachers need:
- an interest in young people and an ability to help them
develop;
- a mature outlook and realistic perception of the world beyond
the school;
- good team working skills and the ability to establish good
relationships with a wide range of people;
- good communication and negotiation skills;
- good organisational and planning skills;
- an ability to research information and present it in an
accessible form.
Entry Requirements
Local government careers teachers need relevant teaching
qualifications and may also require relevant careers guidance
qualifications, such as:
- Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG) accredited by the
Institute of Careers Guidance (ICG)
- Masters courses in Careers Guidance
- NVQ level 4 in advice and guidance
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Local government careers teachers may progress into leadership
positions within a school, such as head of department, deputy head
teacher or head teacher. There may also be opportunities with
relevant experience and training to progress to other roles within
education and children's services, such as education welfare, youth
work or social work.
Further Information & Services
Association for Careers Education and Guidance www.agcas.org.uk
Career Development Institute www.icg-uk.org
Education jobs www.eteach.com
European Network of Training Organisations for Local and Regional
Authorities www.ento.org
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.