Level 4 Careers Information and Advice Diploma

Who is it for?

To achieve the Level 4 Diploma in Careers Information and Advice you will be undertaking a para-professional roles within the careers guidance sector. You will be involved in providing career information and advice to clients, making referrals, and  diagnosing and assessing the needs of clients.

You will be:

• wishing to gain a Level 4 qualification to support further study in Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) in the career guidance sector.
• studying in preparation for employment in the career guidance sector.

or

• employed in the career guidance sector who are wishing to undertake professional development.

What topics does the qualification cover?

• Preparing to work in the CIAG sector requires you to demonstrate your knowledge of the sector and analyse your own role within it.  You will show your understanding of how the sector operates, how you manage your workload and how legislation impacts on your practice.
• Your development as a reflective practitioner is a key part of this diploma and you will provide evidence on an ongoing basis including for example, records of learning and development activities undertaken.
• Two of the mandatory units focus on your actual practice with clients.  You will need to write in-depth case studies demonstrating your knowledge of interview skills and techniques and how you apply these when working with clients.
• Effective practitioners need to have a good working knowledge of careers related information and be able to use this with clients.
• To underpin your practice, you need to have an awareness of career choice theories and how you can support clients. You will be asked to show your understanding of theories and techniques.

A range of units to choose from are also included, with a variety of guidance related topics.

Programme structure

You will provide evidence of your work practice, including completing assignments, case studies, written accounts and providing work products. Evidence is uploaded to an e-portfolio which is available 24/7 on computers, tablets and mobile devices.

An Open University assessor will observe work-based practice on at least one occasion, assess evidence uploaded to the e-portfolio and provide developmental feedback.

You will have access through VQLearner Home to online resources specific to your qualification and links to suggested further study with The Open University.

Support will be provided throughout the qualification by the VQAC Learner Support Team.