Capacity building in Local Partnership Working

Local Partnership Working also seeks to build the capacity of organisations to support individuals to make informed decisions regarding learning, training, work and other development opportunities. Local community guidance activities have been further enhanced through the development and delivery of Careers Information Points in public libraries and the SQA Customised Award in Front Line Guidance.

Careers Information Points in Public Libraries

The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), Careers Scotland and 27 Local Authorities have joined in partnership to provide free public access to careers information resources in Scotland's libraries.

SLIC and Careers Scotland have designed the Careers Information Points to provide direct access to a range of online resources to give people the skills they need to make well informed career decisions. Each point houses a library of published materials to help users with career planning activities. Library staff are trained in the use of the points and are able to signpost and refer users to Careers Scotland and other agencies when appropriate.

Each Careers Information Point provides a range of resources including guidance programmes, career databases and online help through the Careers Scotland website.

SQA Customised Award in Front Line Guidance

This short training course has been developed by Careers Scotland specifically for people whose jobs bring them into contact with others seeking information, advice and guidance in a range of contexts.

Though it deals with some of the ‘core’ elements of guidance, its ultimate focus is that of Careers Guidance and it introduces the Careers Scotland approach to Career Planning.

It has been tailored for a specific purpose and to work in a specific situation – in this instance to develop the skills of those whose main job is not guidance but nonetheless find it advantageous to know more about helping and advising others at an introductory or filtering level.

It comprises two fully participative day workshops, a practical half day session in a Careers Scotland Centre and will be supported by a comprehensive workbook and web based activities.

Focusing on key elements of guidance including client contact, networking and referral through group discussion and personal reflection, participants will expand their knowledge of the issues faced by those considering change.

The coursework is assessed and for successful participants leads to a Scottish Qualifications Authority Accredited Customised Award in Front Line Guidance.

The subsidised course fees of £70 cover the costs of SQA Registration, the course workbook, assessment and hospitality offered during the two workshops.