There is a wide and diverse range of organisations in Wales that employ individuals to provide information, advice and guidance related services including but not limited to local authorities, careers advice services, voluntary sector organisations, student services, prisons and probation services, and government departments.

Within these organisations there is an equally wide and diverse range of occupational areas and/or job roles that involve providing information, advice and/or guidance to members of the public or to other members of staff within an organisation. This includes for example, job roles within visitor centres, customer/client services, help-lines, citizen advice, employment related services, Jobcentres, careers guidance and so on. In fact, there are now an increasing number of organisations providing information, advice and/or guidance in specialist areas such as careers, educational choices, money management, pensions, housing, debt, benefits and consumer advice, as well as various types of social support.

In addition, many people work in roles where they may not even be aware they are offering an advice and guidance service, or for whom advice and guidance is only part of their role. For example, those working within an HR department, police, teachers, doctors, nurses, carers, fitness coaches, training coaches, and training advisers – the list is endless. In addition, the number of call centres, which also offer advice and guidance continues to grow to meet increased consumer demand.

Course content

The Level 4 Diploma consists of 5 mandatory and 3-7 optional units.  Mandatory units include:

• Develop interactions with advice and guidance clients
• Manage personal case load
• Evaluate and develop own contribution to the service
• Operate within networks
• Understand the importance of legislation and procedures

Course Assessment
Like all NVQs, these qualifications are competence based.  This means that they are linked to a person’s ability to competently perform a range of tasks connected with their work.  These qualifications are internally assessed and internally verified by Pembrokeshire College and externally verified by OCR Assessors. Includes a monthly visit from your assessor to your place of work for observation, discussion and look at work related products to build a Portfolio of Evidence

You may be required to undertake the following modules if you do not currently hold qualifications in GCSE Maths and English:

Essential Communication Skills (ECommS)
Essential Application of Number Skills (EAoNS)

Progression

Those achieving the Level 4 Diploma may progress into specialist areas such as counselling and mediation, and also take the Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice, or the Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development.

Apprenticeship: There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification but learners must be at least 16 years of age and in employment for at least 16 hours per week.

Workbased: There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification but learners must be 16 years of age and in employment for at least 16 hours per week, volunteering or on a practical placement as they will be required to show competence in both knowledge and skills.

None required.

Apprenticeship – no fee if this course is taken as an apprenticeship

Workbased course fee – Level 4 £1,250