Level 6 Careers Leadership Qualification

Careers Wales are offering an accredited Level 6 qualification in Careers Leadership to support practitioners embed Careers and Work-related Experiences (CWRE) across their curriculum.

The curriculum for Wales brings forward several changes, including implementing Careers and Work-Related Experience (CWRE) as a cross-cutting theme.  Settings need to pay regard to the statutory guidance for CWRE and ensure educational professionals are able to realise and embed CWRE across their curriculum.

The Level 6 Careers Leadership Qualification is designed for practitioners across Wales to provide the training to support with planning, designing and leading on CWRE. This provision has been endorsed by the National Academy of Educational Leadership Wales.

The certificate in Careers Leadership supports schools as Learning Organisations and the Professional Standards for teaching and leadership, which include:

• Pedagogy – designing a careers education programme that supports all learners to achieve their best outcomes
• Leadership – the careers leader empowers colleagues to develop a shared vision for realising CWRE in the Curriculum for Wales
• Professional Learning – develop skills, knowledge and understanding that will underpin the development of CWRE education
• Innovation – ensure CWRE education has maximum impact and can be progressive
• Collaboration – professionals can engage with other practitioners, both in their own and other schools, to develop knowledge and best practice

How will the qualification be delivered?

The qualification will be delivered digitally over three and a half days, spread across the academic year. There is also a one-hour, digitally delivered introduction. The qualification comprises the following QCF Level 6 units:

• Lead and manage career development work in an organisation
• Continuously improve career development work in an organisation
• Plan and design career-related learning programmes

This qualification is suitable for teachers with responsibility for CWRE in local authority maintained secondary schools and settings across Wales.

See further details of the three units from the Career Guidance and Development Level 6 Diploma from the awarding body Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR).

Feedback from previous cohorts

Listen to some of the previous cohorts talking about their experiences of the Careers Leadership programme in this short film on Hwb.

The course has provided me with the necessary specialist careers knowledge and resources to develop a comprehensive and engaging careers curriculum within my school. The information and guidance provided throughout the course has enabled our school to construct a clear vision for the development of careers education across all age and ability ranges. The valuable insight into the linkages between the Curriculum for Wales and Careers and Work-related Experiences (CWRE) which were discussed and examined on the course gave me the confidence to present information confidently to both the SLT and classroom teachers.'

Jeff Powell, Ysgol Bryn Elian

Studying for the Level 6 Career Leadership Certificate had provided us with fresh insight into how careers education can be used to challenge and guide learners. When we consider the holistic approach of the Curriculum for Wales, and the focus on preparing individuals for lifelong learning, this course has been instrumental in providing guidance on how to develop a cohesive careers programme which ensures learners are able to recognise the skills that they will need in future pathways, as well as offer them opportunities to enhance these skills.’

Kate Loram, Chepstow School

From a special educational needs perspective, the careers leadership certificate has allowed me to rethink CWRE and how it is delivered in our setting. It has encouraged me to think outside the box and deliver the cross-cutting theme through effective rich tasks based on individual learners and their wants, needs and desires. Developing an adaptable model for all teachers and pupils has meant that CWRE can be taught from ages 3-19.’

Ceryn Thomas, Greenfield School