Employment Advisor

THE FORWARD TRUST; Margate; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forward Trust is seeking an energetic Employment Advisor to support learners, job seekers and participants into sustainable employment, apprenticeships and meaningful career opportunities. You will provide tailored information, advice and guidance, coaching and practical support to individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping them recognise strengths and overcome barriers to employment.

Working with partners and employers, you will help identify opportunities, guide applicants through

Qualifications

• Experience providing high-quality CV writing, job search and interview support.
• Experience delivering coaching and employment support to help clients access jobs.
• Ability to build confidence, motivation and resilience to overcome barriers.
• Experience liaising with employers to arrange interviews and obtain feedback.
• Ability to match clients' skills to employment opportunities.
• Experience helping clients gain employment and sustain roles.
• Positive, enthusiastic and solution-focused attitude with a can-do approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills with caseload management.
• Strong ICT skills with confidence using online job search platforms and case management systems.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with colleagues, employers, learners and partners to maximise opportunities.
• Assess individuals' needs, aspirations and strengths to provide tailored support.
• Deliver high-quality information, advice and guidance in line with standards.
• Induct and onboard learners, ensuring understanding of available support and goals.
• Develop confidence, self-esteem, resilience and motivation to succeed in work.
• Prepare CVs, cover letters and apprenticeship applications.
• Prepare job seekers for interviews with strengths-based approaches.
• Identify vacancies, apprenticeships and work experience opportunities.
• Provide ongoing in-work support to promote retention and progression.
• Maintain accurate records using case management systems and report on activity.

Skills

CV writing

Job search support

Interview support

Coaching & guidance

Employer liaison

Confidence building

Communication skills

Organisational skills

ICT skills

Caseload management

Tools

Case management systems

Online job search platforms

Digital tools

Job description

About the Role

Are you passionate about helping people overcome barriers to employment, build confidence and achieve their career ambitions? We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic and committed Employment Advisor to support learners, job seekers and participants into sustainable employment, apprenticeships and meaningful career opportunities.

In this rewarding role, you will provide high-quality, personalised employment advice, guidance and coaching to individuals from a range of backgrounds, including unemployed people, young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), ex-offenders and those at risk of offending. You will help individuals recognise their strengths, overcome barriers and develop the skills, confidence and motivation they need to succeed in the workplace.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Directorate, employers and partner organisations, you will identify suitable employment opportunities, support individuals through the recruitment process and provide ongoing support to help them sustain employment and achieve long-term career progression.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Build strong working relationships with colleagues, employers, learners and partner organisations to maximise employment opportunities and outcomes.
• Identify and assess individuals’ needs, career aspirations, strengths and development areas to provide tailored employment support.
• Deliver high-quality, end-to-end information, advice and guidance in line with Matrix and Gatsby standards.
• Induct, assess and onboard learners and job seekers, ensuring they understand the support available and their employment goals.
• Develop individuals’ confidence, self-esteem, resilience, emotional intelligence and motivation to succeed in the world of work.
• Complete and maintain goal-focused action plans, Individual Learning Records (ILRs), Personal Learning Plans (PLPs) and Digital PLPs, supporting individuals to achieve their agreed objectives.
• Provide one-to-one and group coaching to improve employability skills and support progression into work.
• Support individuals to prepare professional CVs, cover letters, job applications and apprenticeship applications.
• Prepare job seekers for interviews, including introducing strengths-based recruitment approaches to help them demonstrate their skills and potential.
• Undertake targeted job searches using relevant online platforms, software and resources.
• Identify suitable job vacancies, apprenticeships and work experience opportunities, matching candidates’ skills, strengths and aspirations to employer requirements.
• Liaise with employers to identify opportunities, submit suitable candidates, arrange interviews and obtain feedback.
• Provide ongoing in-work support and maintain regular contact with individuals and employers to promote job retention and sustainable employment.
• Monitor progress and support individuals to overcome challenges, sustain employment and achieve career progression.
• Contribute to job fairs, workshops, seminars and partner events that prepare individuals for the workplace.
• Maintain accurate records using relevant case management, performance management and ICT systems.
• Ensure contractual compliance and adhere to safeguarding, Prevent, health and safety and all relevant organisational policies and procedures.
• Contribute to weekly performance reporting, monthly reviews and the achievement of agreed key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Manage your caseload effectively, prioritising individuals according to their needs and ensuring timely, appropriate support.

You will play a vital role in helping people overcome barriers, access meaningful employment and build sustainable futures.

About You

We are looking for a proactive and person-centred Employment Advisor who is passionate about helping people achieve their employment goals. You will have the ability to build trust, motivate individuals and provide practical, tailored support that makes a lasting difference.

You will have experience of supporting job seekers through the employment journey, from identifying their strengths and preparing job applications to securing interviews, gaining employment and sustaining their roles. You will also be confident working with employers to identify opportunities and match candidates effectively to vacancies.

Essential experience, skills and attributes:

• Experience of providing high-quality CV writing, job search and interview support to learners and job seekers, including unemployed individuals, NEET young people, ex-offenders and those at risk of offending.
• Experience of delivering effective coaching and employment support to help individuals access jobs and apprenticeships.
• The ability to build confidence, self-esteem and motivation, enabling individuals to overcome barriers and achieve lasting employment and career development.
• Experience of liaising with employers to identify vacancies, arrange interviews and obtain feedback on candidates.
• The ability to identify individuals’ skills, strengths and qualities and match them appropriately to employment opportunities.
• Experience of supporting individuals into employment and apprenticeships and helping them sustain these opportunities.
• A positive, enthusiastic and solution-focused approach, with a strong “can-do” attitude.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships, gain people’s confidence and put them at ease.
• A persuasive, persistent and patient approach, with the ability to encourage and motivate individuals who may face complex barriers to employment.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure, manage competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, including effective caseload management and accurate reporting.
• Strong all-round ICT skills and confidence using online job search platforms, digital tools and case management systems.

Desirable experience and knowledge:

• Experience of working within the social enterprise sector.
• Knowledge and understanding of offender services, substance misuse and recovery services.

Above all, you will be committed to helping people achieve positive change through employment. You will recognise that every individual has different strengths, aspirations and challenges, and you will be dedicated to providing the encouragement, guidance and practical support they need to succeed.

If you are passionate about helping people into work, building strong employer relationships and supporting individuals towards long-term employment, we would love to hear from you.