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Wigan Council’s Aspiring Futures team provides careers support to pupils across the borough. The team has professionals at different stages of their own careers – with differing training needs and time commitments.

How we made an impact:

The Aspiring Futures team had two new advisers who studied for the Level 6 qualification in Careers Advice and Guidance with the support of our Training and Development Team. Progression Advisers also undertook top-up units to progress from a Level 4 to a Level 6. Another staff member has also started their Level 4 Advice and Guidance qualification, and wider CPD was also on the agenda.

Lisa Felgate, Careers Service Manager at Wigan Council’s Aspiring Futures Team said: “We were very keen to have an organisation who knew what they were doing and delivered things in a friendly and approachable manner. Career Connect has always had that level of professionalism and high standards. They listen to what the organisation wants and deliver courses which reflect that. I always look forward to working with them.

“Having really good communication, especially regarding our Level 4 and 6 candidates, was really important to us, and Career Connect is very good at that. We got regular updates of where our staff where up to, and due dates for assignments so that we could support them in managing study and their day-to-day role.

Both formal qualifications and CPD 

“As well as formal qualifications, we commissioned Career Connect for a Theories of Guidance refresher training for the whole team. They made the time to sit with us and understand what was important for us. They put together a really comprehensive programme of training, and it was very well received.

“Upskilling and the development of knowledge is really important for us, but we are also really keen to develop reflective practice. The training – both the formal and refresher – has allowed our staff to reflect on their own practice and look at areas for development.

“We’ve been able to get staff to feel that its ok to try new things out and implement what they’ve learned.

“We’ve seen better, more informed practitioners; people that are wanting to try new things, that have really good conversations with the rest of the team, and that are always looking forward. For us, it’s about developing the quality of service that we provide to young people across the Wigan borough.”

Careers Adviser Lucy’s experience of studying a Level 6 qualification with Career Connect

Lucy Gillespie is a Careers Adviser in the Aspiring Futures Team.

She has recently completed the Level 6 Advice and Guidance qualification.

Lucy said: “I’ve been able to use the skills that I’ve learned on my day-to-day job by pulling from a number of theories I was taught; I use motivational theories within my interviewing, and it’s really helped me to refine the techniques I use within my practice. I can apply a variety of models at different points within an interview, or with challenging clients.

“I would sum up the experience of working with Career Connect as fantastic. A really supportive, engaging experience. Career Connect provides a really strong platform for practitioners to develop and evolve their practice.

“I had lots of interaction with my mentor Andrea. She was always on hand to answer any questions and offer any support. I was able to use different resources and access the course in my own time. I completed on time and my mentor’s support was crucial in this.”