This SVQ for the CIAG sector is a new qualification. It is designed to provide specialist training for practitioners working in career guidance and/or employability support and to provide maximum flexibility for candidates and employers in this diverse sector.
National Context
Across the UK, there are differing structures and approaches to career development. The NOS have been written to enable the differences to be accommodated and to enable different terminology to be applied as appropriate.
However, regardless of the national context, at the heart of career development is the client-centred approach, with a focus on positive outcomes for the individuals or groups that a career development practitioner supports.
It is expected that effective practice in career development will be based on a specialist body of knowledge that supports the profession.
Principles and Values
The principles and values of those who work in career development were discussed during development of these NOS, and identified as integral to the way in which practitioners deliver career development and support opportunities to individuals and groups. The career development sector has developed codes of practice and ethics which capture this approach, and it is expected that the majority of the career development workforce will be aware of and adhere to relevant codes.
Target group and relevant occupations
These standards are for anybody who supports or delivers career development opportunities and activities, either as a part, or as the majority, of their role, within the public, private or voluntary sectors. They apply at organisational and individual levels.
The range of occupations in the career development workforce is extensive and encompasses work-based and education-related services, private organisations, voluntary, public sector and community-based services across the UK. The range of functions that are delivered by the sector as a whole is defined in the functional map developed by the CDI.
'Career Development' has been used to mean the improvement of the career management skills of individuals. It does this by providing information, advice and guidance about career and learning options and identifying and developing individuals' knowledge, attitudes and skills, aspirations and motivation to lifelong learning. This could take place in the workplace, community or in organisations with a career development focus, learning organisations or other places where individuals are encouraged to develop their career or educational prospects. Career development support will occur across a range of delivery channels or media.
Successful candidates will gain an internationally-recognised qualification that guarantees that they have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out their role successfully. Assessment is carried out in the workplace, which minimises any time candidates would need to be away from their work.
The SVQ can be offered in any of the following modes:
- in the workplace
- part-time (eg day-release)
