AGCAS Community - Careers Advice and Guidance

New website explores London graduates' outcomes

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:42:12 GMT

The Careers Group, University of London has released a public website showing what happened to graduates after leaving universities in London. Aimed at those considering entry to higher education, teachers, parents, pupils and current university students, What London Graduates Do shows the occupation, employer and salaries of graduates over the last five years.

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.

Careers guidance - consultation on extension to duty to provide

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:34:11 GMT

The Department for Education (DfE) in England has announced a consultation on extending the duty to provide independent and impartial careers guidance down to year 8 and up to young people aged 16-18 studying in schools, sixth form colleges and further education institutions.

TARGETjobs Breakfast News: Apprenticeships

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:15:32 GMT

TARGETjobs' Breakfast News this month focused on apprenticeships. The event took place in London on 26 April 2012.

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.

Career theory workshop wins Jan AGCAS award

Wed, 02 May 2012 12:40:16 GMT

Jan Perrett, Deputy Director at The University of Nottingham, has won the John Franks Award for her Biennial 2011 workshop examining careers theory.

The award, sponsored by Yorkshire and Humberside Heads of Service in memory of their colleague John Franks, who sadly died in service in Spring 2008, is awarded to the best workshop delivered at an AGCAS Biennial Conference.

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.

Key Information Set: Timetable and further information

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:15:59 GMT

Following a programme of research and development, which included research into the information needs of potential students, a consultation, pilots, and expert working groups, HEFCE are now working towards the implementation of the Key Information Set (KIS) in September 2012.

The future of careers advice and guidance

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:45:03 GMT

Tom Davie, member of the AGCAS Board of Directors and Deputy Head of the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre at Durham University, will be a guest speaker at the Westminster Employment Forum on The future of careers advice and guidance - schools, universities and adult provision taking place on Thursday 26 April in central London.

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.

'Graduate labour market holding up' AGCAS survey

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:21:23 GMT

More employers are looking for graduates according to university careers and employability professionals. Responding to the regular vacancy survey carried out by the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), 87.5% of heads of careers services said that in their experience the graduate labour market was more buoyant (50%) or the same (37.5%) in the quarter ending 31 December 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

Coaching complements University of Sunderland provision

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:57:07 GMT

The University of Sunderland's Careers and Employability Service identified a need to improve students' confidence and better prepare them for graduate selection processes. Feedback for the new coaching service is very positive and demand is expected to grow.

The modern university careers service

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:12:28 GMT

What sort of careers service do you want? One size doesn't fit all. Catherine Klimeš, Head of Careers and Employability at the University of Northampton, outlines what careers services can offer their vice chancellors in a diverse and fast-changing sector.

New careers council seeks members

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:47:15 GMT

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is establishing a new group, a National Council for Careers, to advise the government on improving the quality of careers advice. The Council will provide independent advice to help drive the success of the National Careers Service, due to be launched in In April 2012, and is now looking for nominations from prospective members from a variety of backgrounds, including the careers guidance sector, the education sector, and business.

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.

The Open University: Fees 2012-13

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:23:30 GMT

In July, The Open University (OU) announced that it had set a new fee level for new students in England starting after 1 September 2012. The new fee is £5,000 for a full-time year (120 credits), but as most OU students study part time, this figure will be scaled down in proportion to the intensity of their study.

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.

Getting creative with CVs

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:26:40 GMT

Art and design students at North Hertfordshire College have been participating in a series of creative CV workshops. Led by AGCAS member Emma Bumpus, Careers Guidance Officer, participating students produced a range of interesting and very individual CVs as part of a BTEC personal development module.

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.

Fireworks and networks

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:21:38 GMT

The difference of opinion on brokering unpaid internships is just one example of tensions in the coalition government: Nick Clegg has condemned them, saying 'we want a fair job market based on merit, not networks'; David Cameron is 'very relaxed' about offering work placements to people he knows. Gill Frigerio, Course Director of the Management of Student Work Experience programme at The University of Warwick, considers the theory behind the recent debates on social mobility and asks if it really is all about who you know.

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.

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.

India visit report launched

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:47:17 GMT

AGCAS is very pleased to launch the report of the PMI 2 funded visit to India by representatives from AGCAS and NASES during February 2010. A team of nine careers professionals undertook a range of visits in three major cities: Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Careers Consultant

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:36:09 GMT

Careers Employability Adviser (First Generational Scholars)

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:23:12 GMT

Careers Employability Adviser (Placements)

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:36:48 GMT

Careers Adviser (0.8FTE, one year fixed term)

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:26:14 GMT

Careers and Employability Adviser (College of Social Science)

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:40:43 GMT

Researcher Career Development Adviser (part time)

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:51:01 GMT

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.

NLP and Coaching Techniques in Guidance, Birmingham

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:26:32 GMT

This course is now full

A one-day course demonstrating use of NLP and coaching techniques within guidance.

Guidance Skills (Advanced), Warwick

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:42:38 GMT

This course is now full

This course aims to expand the professional competence of experienced careers advisers by equipping them with the knowledge, structure and higher-level skills necessary to implement a counselling approach to guidance intervention.

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.

Social Media for Beginners, Leicester

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:31:11 GMT

This is an AGCAS East Midlands regional training event. This interactive practical session will cover Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We will also look at the way social media can be utilised by careers professionals, HE careers services and graduate recruiters.

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.

Challenges of Careers Work in HE, Warwick

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:11:48 GMT

This course is now full. Book for the July Challenges course

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.

Disseminating the Latest Careers Research - A Focus on Measuring the Impact of Careers Services, Hull

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:03:33 GMT

This North East AGCAS regional training event will be an opportunity to catch up on the latest research in the field of careers with particular emphasis on how the impact of careers services is measured, both internally and externally.

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.

MBTI Refresher - Using MBTI in Group Settings, Nottingham

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:41:26 GMT

This is AGCAS' annual MBTI refresher training, highlighting practical ways of utilising MBTI with your client groups and for staff team development.

Careers in HR, Manchester

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:34:10 GMT

This AGCAS North West regional training event offers a wide range of guest speakers highlighting roles and opportunities for graduates in the world of HR.

Group Work, Warwick

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:09:37 GMT

This four-day residential course is intended for careers staff working, or planning to work, with students and other clients in groups and who wish to develop new approaches to its planning and delivery.

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 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.