AGCAS Community - Careers Information

National Council for Careers - members appointed

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:20:29 GMT

An announcement has been made by Skills Minister, John Hayes, concerning the membership of England's new National Council for Careers.

Future of careers and guidance - AGCAS director's presentation

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:58:20 GMT

Tom Davie, Director of Professional Development on the AGCAS Board and Deputy Head of Careers at Durham University, delivered a paper at the recent Westminster Employment Forum, which focused on the future of careers advice and guidance in relation to schools, universities and adult provision.

AGCAS and the Careers Profession Alliance (CPA)

Fri, 04 May 2012 13:13:43 GMT

AGCAS considers it essential that individuals have access to high-quality careers and employability education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) when they need it: while at school, college or university; studying full time, part time or not at all; and whether in employment or not. We also believe that the wider national interest is furthered by careers professionals working closely together. Whenever possible, the profession should speak with one voice.

AGCAS Diversity Task Group: an update on activity

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:15:32 GMT

The AGCAS Diversity Task Group was formed in April 2010 to explore, share and develop good practice in relation to the diverse needs, backgrounds and aspirations of a varied client group. During this time, the group has focused on a range of ways to develop services and resources.

Vacancies on AGCAS Board of Directors

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:32:07 GMT

AGCAS is recruiting motivated and enthusiastic volunteers to join its Board of Directors from 1 August 2012. Do you want to get involved in the management of AGCAS and making key decisions about its future development? Have you got ideas about what AGCAS should be and what it should be able to provide for its staff, members and stakeholders? As a professional body, a company, a charity and an employer, AGCAS needs to be represented at the highest level by a diverse group of committed individuals.

National Careers Service for England

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:53:36 GMT

A new National Careers Service, which promises improved access to careers advice in England, is to be launched this week. The launch follows last week's publication of statutory guidance, which restated the importance of quality-assured careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) in schools. The government says the service will provide 'information, advice and guidance on careers, skills and the labour market, covering further education, apprenticeships and other types of training and higher education through a mix of face-to-face interviews, a telephone helpline and web-based services'.

Wilson Review - initial response from AGCAS

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:29:34 GMT

Sir Tim Wilson's review of university-business collaboration has been published, which proposes an agenda for change that will help make the UK the best place in the world for collaborative activity. Anne-Marie Martin responded on behalf of AGCAS.

Employers shortlisted for careers service engagement award

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:29:35 GMT

Six employers have been shortlisted for The AGCAS Award for Excellence in Careers Service Engagement. They were all nominated by higher education careers services. The award is one of the prestigious annual TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards.

CV checking - keeping up with demand

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:17 GMT

AGCAS member Sarah Mallen, Information Manager at The University of Manchester, Careers & Employability Division, has been examining the levels of demand at other careers services for CV checking and application advice, who provides it, and exploring what methods are being used to keep up with the demand.

Bath Spa's 'Little Blue Book'

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:46:37 GMT

Bath Spa University Careers has published a new guide to help convey the many opportunities open to students and the benefits of participating in them. The Little Blue Book: An essential guide to planning your future supports students at different stages of their career planning and has become a much sought-after giveaway to drive footfall to the careers centre.

Work while studying: blessing or curse?

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:56:45 GMT

Research into undergraduates' experiences of working has been conducted by AGCAS member Angela Vesey, Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and winner of the 2011 AGCAS John Roberts Memorial Prize. Angela's study, as part of her MA in Career Education, Information and Guidance in HE (CEIGHE), explored the nature and extent of undergraduates working at NTU, their motivations for working and its perceived impact.

AGCAS new year resolution: Make ARENA even better

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:19:42 GMT

Here at AGCAS, we're always trying to improve our communications with members. Recently, we seem to have got better at reporting things that interest you. What we are working on now is being quicker off the mark so that, with our help, AGCAS members are recognised as the most up-to-date and well-informed people anywhere on any issue to do with the graduate labour market, employability and careers information, education, advice and guidance.

Leeds engages the unengaged

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:02:51 GMT

The University of Leeds Careers Centre has developed a successful marketing strategy with materials to 'engage the unengaged', which uses a minimum of staff time but has raised the service's profile and usage.

Staff development success for Leeds

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:07:18 GMT

The Careers Centre Strategy Team at the University of Leeds, rather than solely increasing online provision to meet the challenges of the economic downturn, chose to train support staff to provide initial information and advice to students and graduates.

Sir Alex Ferguson's employability audit

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:48:46 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson this week celebrates 25 years as Manchester United manager. To be continually employed for a quarter of a century is quite an achievement, especially in a field where job security is rare. From a careers professional's point of view though, it's interesting to consider what would happen if, perhaps through no fault of his own, Sir Alex had to look for work. Would he readily find another position in the same or another field? Is he still employable?

Mixed picture on graduate jobs front - HE careers services

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:27:57 GMT

University careers services across the UK have reported a mixed picture during the third quarter of 2011, both in the messages they are getting from employers and in the number of jobs they are advertising. While vacancies in some sectors are said to be up, there is increased competition for most positions.

Revised matrix Standard launched

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:02:33 GMT

The revised matrix Standard was launched on 12 October 2011. The launch event was opened by Ian Greenaway, Chair of EMQC Ltd, and Dave Allan, Managing Director of EMQC Ltd, culminating with an address by John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning. AGCAS was represented by Lucy Madahar, Assistant Director of Student Services at Birmingham City University and AGCAS Director of Quality and Membership.

Careers section of Education Bill 2011 - suggested amendments

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:24:27 GMT

The Education Bill 2010-2011 is now at the report stage in the House of Lords, where it is being examined line by line. The next meeting will take place on 18 October 2011. Among the proposed amendments are some concerning Section 27 on Careers Guidance in Schools In England.

Progress towards a National Careers Service for England

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:38:42 GMT

The National Careers Service Advisory Group, which was formed to advise government on its proposals to develop and implement a National Careers Service for England, met on Friday 7 October 2011. AGCAS was represented, with Communications and Marketing Manager, Chris Jackson, standing in for President, Anne-Marie Martin.

AGCAS and the Careers Profession Alliance

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:30:37 GMT

AGCAS has decided not to continue to be part of the Careers Profession Alliance (CPA). The AGCAS Board of Directors took the decision after consulting member services and taking into consideration their views and priorities.

Launch of Lifelong Learning Accounts

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:14:13 GMT

The government has launched Lifelong Learning Accounts - a free, personalised online service for adults that allows them to take greater control of their learning and working life by providing clear information and advice on skills, careers and financial support all in one place.

AGCAS celebrates Awards for Excellence winners

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:36:24 GMT

The results of the 2011 AGCAS Awards for Excellence have been announced. Winners were presented with their awards at an official ceremony and dinner, held at the East Midlands Conference Centre as part of the AGCAS Biennial Conference at The University of Nottingham, earlier this month.

The number of nominations received for each category is evidence of the high-quality, innovative and collaborative work taking place at AGCAS member services across the country.

Concerns over reduced careers services for young people

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:41:41 GMT

A group of experts has warned that government plans to reorganise careers services will be damaging to young people. Planned cuts will reduce the availability of face-to-face guidance to young people, with services confined to telephone and web-based services. The National Careers Service Advisory Group, formerly the Advisory Group on the All-Age Careers Service, have issued a press release outlining their concerns about the 'widespread destruction' of careers services for young people.

Skills awards survey report published

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:18:26 GMT

The AGCAS Skills Awards Task Group would like to thank all colleagues who contributed to our online survey. We have now produced the initial data summary and we will be producing some further evaluation of free text comments later in the year.

HE white paper - AGCAS response

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:17:40 GMT

AGCAS welcomes the emphasis on employability and high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) in the government's higher education white paper, published today. AGCAS believes that access to high-quality CEIAG should start at school and continue through and beyond college and university.

Careers provision for young people in England

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:53:43 GMT

Profound changes are taking place to the financing of and legislation covering the delivery of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) to young people via schools, sixth forms, FE colleges and youth services in England. Things are moving very fast: the second reading in the Lords took place on 14 June, so there isn't much time to try to safeguard, let alone improve, the CEIAG on offer.

This article is intended to update members on what we're doing as an organisation, invite your feedback about what we should do next, and encourage you to take action yourself.

Advice and Guidance Skills, Warwick

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:51:36 GMT

This course is now full

The course aims to provide and equip you with a framework of knowledge and skills (through theoretical and practical perspectives) in order to enable you to deliver advice and/or guidance to clients in the most effective and appropriate manner.

Careers Working with Children and Young People, Liverpool

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:12:42 GMT

This AGCAS North West regional training day will include representatives from organisations such a Children's Centres, Connexions, Kumon and Special Needs.

Careers in the NHS, Newcastle

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:52:06 GMT

This North East AGCAS regional training event will feature a range of speakers working in the NHS outside of medicine and dentistry, including healthcare science, management and the allied health professions.

Public Sector Graduate Recruitment and Sector Update, Cardiff

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:21:24 GMT

This is a South West AGCAS regional event providing an update on the effects of policy and economic change on graduate opportunity within the South West and Wales.

Frontline Focus, Stoke-on-Trent

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:22:55 GMT

The aim of this AGCAS North West regional training event is to provide staff with an opportunity to understand the importance and relevance of their role within careers and the institution.

The Graduate Recruitment Fair, Manchester

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:13:59 GMT

A two-day fair with different exhibitors present each day, all of whom are recruiting for vacancies commencing Autumn 2012. A diverse range of employers are represented with large nationals and multi-nationals exhibiting alongside smaller local companies. There will also be a few institutions of higher education offering postgraduate opportunities, and a small number of voluntary organisations present. Usually around 180 exhibitors and approximately 5,000 visitors attend over the two days.

Technology in Careers - an update, Warwick

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:14:08 GMT

This one-day course is especially useful for those with responsibility for using technology within their service.

Information Strategy, Warwick

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:43:54 GMT

This one-day course is intended for all information specialists who wish to introduce or improve their information strategy.

Careers Information and Employer Liaison (CIEL) Conference 2012, Warwick

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:47:02 GMT

The 2012 AGCAS Careers Information and Employer Liaison (CIEL) Conference will be held at The University of Warwick, 26 - 27 June. More details will follow as they become available.

Challenges of Careers Work in HE, Warwick

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:11:48 GMT

This course is now FULL. Another runs July 17 - 19, 2012 if you wish to make a booking.

This three-day residential course is a core module of the AGCAS/Warwick Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MA in CEIGHE.

AGCAS Scotland 2012 Biennial Conference

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:13:06 GMT

The AGCAS Scotland 2012 Biennial Conference is being hosted by the University of St Andrews and will focus on Employer Engagement and Impact Measurement. The two-day programme inculdes speakers and workshops around these themes.

Introduction to Advice, York

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:05:49 GMT

This is a one-day course designed for the non-guidance professional aimed at improving the effectiveness of short interactions with clients involving advice rather than guidance.

Challenges of Careers Work in HE, Warwick

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:21:52 GMT

This three-day residential course is intended for all careers service staff, whether new or experienced, who would like to explore the context in which they are working. This course may be particularly suitable for those moving into careers work in HE from other sectors. The course is part of the AGCAS/Warwick qualification module, but open to all.

Careers Related to Human Rights, Durham

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:16:22 GMT

This North East AGCAS regional training course will provide an overview of a range of salaried career opportunities for graduates, which involve aspects of dealing with human rights related issues.

Careers in Land-based Industries: Sharing good practice and networking, Chelmsford

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:28 GMT

This is an AGCAS Eastern, London and Southern regional training day to support careers services working with students and graduates in the land-based industries.

Writing for the Web, Warwick

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:06:34 GMT

A one-day course designed to review, refresh and improve your web writing skills. This course is intended for all members who have responsiblity for updating or creating content for their careers service website