Employment advisor

Employment advisors support people to find suitable work, explore what skills and abilities they have and connect them with employers and training providers.

Some employment advisors provide support to a wide range of people whilst others provide more specialist support, for example adults with learning disabilities.

Role overview:

• talking to people about their abilities, interests and goals
• assessing their skills and abilities
• finding learning and work opportunities for people
• supporting people to overcome barriers to employment
• helping people to find jobs
• advising people about the support they can get to help them in their job, for example special equipment or travel
• supporting people with their CV and applications
• building relationships with local employers, colleges and training providers. 

Employment advisors tend to be employed by private recruitment organisations, local authorities or charities.

Skills and experience

You'll need to have good interpersonal skils, be good at planning and organising, and be skilled at reading, writing and researching online.

If you’re applying for an entry level role such as an employment advisor admin or assistant, your employer might ask that you have qualifications showing good English and number skills.

It can be useful to have experience of working in social care or employment support, such as working in HR or recruitment. You could gain this experience through a work placement, from your personal life, through volunteering or as part of a traineeship or apprenticeship. 

For more experienced roles you might need a qualification or a degree in a relevant subject such as careers guidance or advocacy.

Opportunities

During your induction your employer will provide neccessary training including safeguarding adults.

You could gain a qualification whilst working, for example a qualification in career guidance or Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice. You could also gain a qualifcation to allow you to provide specialist support, for example working with people with disabilities.

Speak to your employer to see if they are able to provide funding, or you may be able to self-fund through an Advanced Learners loan.