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.

This qualification is suitable for teachers with responsibility for CWRE in local authority funded:

• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Special schools
• Settings - for example Pupil Referral Units

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

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.

Completing the Level 6 Careers Leadership qualification gave me a clear focus, helping me priorities the activities that make the greatest impact on pupils. It’s strengthened my ability to support colleagues in developing their own understanding of CWRE and how to embed it meaningfully into their lessons. The qualification has also given me the confidence to lead whole-school initiatives, ensuring that careers education is a shared responsibility and a core part of our school culture.'

Lisa Shearer, St Cyres School

Undertaking the Level 6 Careers Leadership qualification this year has given me a fantastic foundation and the confidence to successfully complete Stage 1 of the Careers Wales Quality Award (pilot). The L6 course has benefitted me professionally through encouraging me to conduct academic research on career leadership practices, helped me develop a better understanding and appreciation of CWRE, improving my understanding of the ‘what, why, who and how’ of CWRE in my school and given me the framework to reflect on how I review, monitor and evaluate career provision.’

Wendy Thomas-Davies, Ysgol Bro Dinefwr

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

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