Employment Advisor (Walsall Works)

Opus People Solutions Ltd; Stafford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Opus People Solutions Ltd seeks an Employment Advisor to manage a caseload of unemployed adults and young people, delivering tailored support to help them progress into education, training, apprenticeships or sustainable employment.

You will provide high‑quality information, guidance and coaching, identify barriers, develop action plans, deliver engaging one-to-one and group sessions, and record progress for reporting against funding requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience within employability services, welfare-to-work, employment advice, careers guidance or a similar support-focused role.
• Level 4 qualification in CIAG, or equivalent qualification/experience in careers guidance, welfare-to-work, social work, teaching, youth work or a related field - desirable not essential
• Experience supporting individuals into employment, education or training and achieving positive outcomes.
• Ability to build effective relationships with employers, training providers and external partners.
• Strong communication, organisational and case management skills.
• Commitment to continuous professional development, including working towards relevant professional qualifications where required.
• Confident IT skills and experience maintaining accurate records and performance data.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of unemployed adults and young people, providing tailored support to help them progress into education, training, apprenticeships or sustainable employment.
• Deliver high-quality careers information, advice and guidance, helping individuals make informed decisions about their future learning and career pathways.
• Identify barriers to employment and education, working closely with individuals to develop practical action plans and achieve positive outcomes.
• Plan and deliver engaging one-to-one and group sessions focused on employability skills, personal development, job search techniques and career progression.
• Monitor, track and record participant progress, ensuring accurate and timely reporting against performance targets and funding requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers, training providers, education settings, partner organisations and internal council services to create opportunities for local residents.
• Support young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), helping them re-engage and progress into meaningful opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies and stakeholders to develop and deliver responsive employment and skills initiatives that meet local needs.
• Promote Walsall Council's employment and skills services, delivering a professional, customer-focused experience for residents and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the achievement of service objectives, key performance indicators and contractual outcomes through proactive case management and engagement activities.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Case management

Relationship building

Education

Level 4 CIAG qualification

Job description

Employment Advisor

Rate: 18.96 per hour PAYE / 26.05 per hour UMB
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Thursday: 8.45am - 5.15pm with 1-hour unpaid break. Friday: 8.45am - 4.45pm with 1-hour unpaid break.
Location: Onsite within Walsall Community Centres including Hubs and Libraries.
Duration: Temporary basis, until March 2027 with potential to extend.
Start Date: 30th November 2026

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of unemployed adults and young people, providing tailored support to help them progress into education, training, apprenticeships or sustainable employment.
• Deliver high-quality careers information, advice and guidance, helping individuals make informed decisions about their future learning and career pathways.
• Identify barriers to employment and education, working closely with individuals to develop practical action plans and achieve positive outcomes.
• Plan and deliver engaging one-to-one and group sessions focused on employability skills, personal development, job search techniques and career progression.
• Monitor, track and record participant progress, ensuring accurate and timely reporting against performance targets and funding requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers, training providers, education settings, partner organisations and internal council services to create opportunities for local residents.
• Support young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), helping them re-engage and progress into meaningful opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies and stakeholders to develop and deliver responsive employment and skills initiatives that meet local needs.
• Promote Walsall Council's employment and skills services, delivering a professional, customer-focused experience for residents and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the achievement of service objectives, key performance indicators and contractual outcomes through proactive case management and engagement activities.

Essential Requirements

• Experience within employability services, welfare-to-work, employment advice, careers guidance or a similar support-focused role.
• Level 4 qualification in Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG), or equivalent qualification/experience in careers guidance, welfare-to-work, social work, teaching, youth work or a related field - desirable not essential
• Experience supporting individuals into employment, education or training and achieving positive outcomes.
• Ability to build effective relationships with employers, training providers and external partners.
• Strong communication, organisational and case management skills.
• Commitment to continuous professional development, including working towards relevant professional qualifications where required.
• Confident IT skills and experience maintaining accurate records and performance data.

Desirable

• Experience supporting young people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
• Knowledge of local employment, skills and training opportunities.
• Experience delivering employability workshops, training sessions or group activities.

All offers will be subject to satisfactory compliance screening, including right to work in the UK and references. In addition, due to the nature of the role the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure will be undertaken.