Employability & Skills Adviser

Essex County Council; Basildon; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking council as an Employability & Skills Adviser, where you'll play a pivotal role in guiding young people towards fulfilling career paths. This permanent, full-time position offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of youth by providing essential advice and support in navigating education and employment options. Collaborate with various stakeholders to create impactful recruitment events and advocate for young people's needs. If you're passionate about fostering inclusive economic growth and empowering the next generation, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Possess an IAG Qualification, preferably working towards level 6 LDDS.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge in relevant areas and ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Assist young people with career guidance, CV writing, and job applications.
• Manage caseloads and maintain accurate client records following DfE guidance.
• Engage with stakeholders to support young people's training and employment needs.

Skills

Communication Skills

Coaching

Negotiation

Data Analysis

Problem-Solving

Education

IAG Qualification

Dip CG

QCG

NVQ Level 4

Job description

Employability & Skills Adviser

Permanent, Full Time

£32,701 to £38,471 per annum

Location: Basildon

Working Style: Community-based worker

The Opportunity

Essex is a diverse county with high levels of deprivation and affluent communities, leading to a wide variance in life expectancy and quality of life. To support Inclusive Economic Growth, ECC's work on the skills system aims to increase employment in higher quality roles, showcase Essex's strategic location to large employers, and improve residents' wellbeing.

The Employability & Skills Advisor will provide impartial advice and guidance to young people, helping them progress into post-16 opportunities in employment, education, training, and vocational pathways.

Accountabilities

1. Assist young people in overcoming barriers to learning and employment through a self-referral process, providing careers information, guidance, CV writing, job applications, interview techniques, group sessions, and presentations.
2. Manage individual caseloads and maintain accurate client records following DfE guidance.
3. Engage with all under-18 benefit claimants for DWP registration and child benefit registrations with HMRC, fulfilling statutory responsibilities.
4. Broker opportunities between providers and young people to prepare them for the workforce, promoting the 8 Gatsby benchmarks as per the government’s careers strategy.
5. Influence and negotiate the type and level of provision to meet economic and young people's needs, identify gaps, and work with training providers to disseminate current training opportunities.
6. Support the implementation of the future RPA strategy, advocating for young people to make informed decisions about learning, employment, and personal development.
7. Collaborate with stakeholders including schools, social care, SEND, Youth Offending, Housing, and partner agencies at senior levels to support young people's training and employment needs.
8. Develop and deliver large-scale recruitment events, engaging parents, carers, and professionals to achieve positive outcomes for young people.
9. Meet specific targets and objectives outlined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Possess an IAG Qualification, Dip CG, QCG, or NVQ 4, preferably working towards level 6 LDDS or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrate ongoing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant areas.
• Exhibit advanced communication skills and a solution-focused approach to support hard-to-reach young people, coaching and building resilience and life skills.
• Proven success in progressing young people into education, training, and employment.
• Broad understanding of issues affecting young people, learning opportunities, and services by partner organizations, with current labour market knowledge.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders and partner agencies.
• Experience in advocating and negotiating with providers, schools, colleges, employers, and agencies.
• Skilled in analyzing and interpreting data sets.

Please note: The role requires mobility within the operational area. A driving license and access to a vehicle, or alternative mobility means, are necessary.

For more about our work, visit: Education