Develop your skills while working for us: Information, Advice, and Guidance - Level 3 Award

Get Set UK is an organisation that provides innovative and dependable solutions to help people obtain real employer-led skills, information, advice and guidance, job opportunities, and training. That is why it is vital that our employees receive the best possible qualifications and that they continue to learn and develop their skills while working for us. We believe Get Set UK is the ideal place to grow professionally and personally, and we support our employees when they learn something new that will help them work better and more efficiently.

We recently partnered with Ixion Holdings to provide our employees with the Information, Advice, and Guidance - Level 3 Award. The course is remote and lasts about two or three weeks. The Level 3 award in Information, Advice, and Guidance has been designed to provide the skills required for those working in or wishing to work in our industry. Learners can progress to the Level 3 Certificate in Advice and Guidance or the Level 4 Certificate in Career Information and Guidance.

A few Get Setters have already completed the course, and we asked two of them, Paul and Gifty, to offer their opinions on it and explain why it would be beneficial to all of our employees.

"Gaining a L3 in IAG is extremely beneficial. Despite having 14 years of experience as an advisor, I have never held an IAG. So by taking the course and learning not only about IAG but also about how I apply this to my role, it was insightful. You need to ensure that a customer is supported in making informed decisions that enable them to engage in appropriate learning, programmes, or work. You cannot give advice and guidance without the customer's information, and you will gain that information after a few sessions. This will give you an overview of their previous and current circumstances. Advice will then be delivered impartially by the adviser based on the facts and information provided by the customer.

I would say that a good IAG session with an advisor would explore the career, learning, or work options available while considering the skills, knowledge, abilities, interests, qualifications, and personal issues of the customer, enabling them to make an informed choice on the options available. I am glad I had this opportunity and I can definitely say it is helping me every day .- Paul

"In November 2022, I had the privilege of beginning training to obtain an IAG Level 3 to enable me to practise as a Careers Advisor on the NCS programme. The process began with interactive online sessions run by a Shaw Trust Trainer who took us through a variety of interesting modules and topics within the IAG subject. Among the topics were The Customer Journey Model and Essential Guidance Skills, which covered techniques to implement when providing information, advice, and guidance. Being part of the interactive sessions was beneficial, as I not only had the opportunity to gain new knowledge, but also to discuss ways in which I could put the essential techniques into practice. I then had the opportunity to implement the knowledge I gained to complete a workbook. I was able to carry out further research and use practical examples when thoroughly answering questions.

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge when providing career advice. Completing this course has also helped me to confidently communicate with customers and to help them make informed decisions in their educational and career development.

I have now successfully passed and gained a new qualification, which I am very pleased with! I look forward to supporting more customers into training and career development’’. - Gifty