Careers Adviser

About the Company

We deliver Career Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) services across Scotland, supporting people of all ages to develop the skills, confidence and insight they need to make informed, ongoing career decisions. Working with schools, learning providers, employers and partner organisations, our teams play a key role in helping individuals progress into positive and sustainable learning, training or employment outcomes within their lifelong career journey.

Be part of something bigger — build skills, change lives!

You’ll provide high quality, impartial career information, advice and guidance using a coaching approach, supporting customers on a one to one and group basis. Your work will focus on developing their career management skills, helping individuals understand themselves and their options, set goals and take ownership of their career journey. Depending on service need, you may work with school age young people, post school young people and adults - all within the role of a Careers Adviser.

You’ll work with customers to identify and agree their needs using approved tools, develop tailored career development plans, and work closely with partners to support effective transitions into learning, training or employment. You’ll also promote SDS services, including My World of Work, and maintain accurate records to support continuous improvement and high professional standards.

• Provide high quality, impartial career information, advice and guidance.
• Support customers on a one to one and group basis.
• Help individuals understand themselves and their options.
• Set goals and take ownership of their career journey.
• Work with school age young people, post school young people and adults.
• Identify and agree customer needs using approved tools.
• Develop tailored career development plans.
• Work closely with partners to support effective transitions into learning, training or employment.
• Promote SDS services, including My World of Work.
• Maintain accurate records to support continuous improvement and high professional standards.

To be eligible for the role of Careers Adviser at Skills Development Scotland, you must hold the Career Development Institute (CDI) UK recognised professional Qualification in Career Development (QCD or its predecessor equivalent) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance and Development.

• Strong coaching and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of career management skills and labour market information.
• Ability to work flexibly in a complex and changing environment.
• Commitment to National Occupational Standards and Code of Ethics.
• Continuous improvement and ongoing continuous professional development (CPD).

• Knowledge of local labour market trends.
• Ability to work collaboratively with partners.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

At SDS we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. If you’ve got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race. Therefore, while we want to know about your relevant skills and experience, please avoid disclosing any identifying characteristics.

The closing date to submit your application is 2nd August 2026. Interviews are due to be scheduled as soon as possible thereafter.