“Practical Tools to Empower your Adult Learners and Clients”

Bernadette Walsh: Adult Guidance CounsellorCareersPortal

IGC Conference Workshop Saturday 22nd March 2014

Overview: CareersPortal.ie, as a public/private partnership, is

designed to provide a gateway to career information and guidance tools/resources.

The site was developed in 2007 to create a one stop portal for careers information in Ireland. It was re-launched with a new homepage in February 2014 by the Department of Education & Skills.

The revised site highlights the many newly developed areas including the Adult Learner and Job Seeker communities.

To date over 5 million people have used the site as a research tool and over 275,000 people have taken part in its guidance programmes.

“Our mission is to provide the most up to date career information to our users in an integrated, innovative, supportive and engaging manner”

Target User Groups

Adult Learners Job Seekers Guidance Counsellors Information Providers 2nd Level Students 3rd Level Students Parents and Guardians

Development Model:

Public/Private Partnership Industry Experts Government Departments Companies/Organisations Colleges Direct Feature

Image of Sectors Page

33 Sectors

Career Interests

&World

of Work

Empowering the client…

The Guidance Relationship is paramount in terms of building trust and supporting clients to progress and move forward in their lives.

By suggesting options and offering choices we are giving clients the power to become more responsible and take ownership of their decisions. CareersPortal is a practical tool that can be used to support that process, as the resource has been designed to help users along their individual journey, it can provide a roadmap of opportunities from a single trusted website.

Avoid doing for a client that what they can do for themselves! Collaborative approach –together is better…and encourages self-efficacy.

Practical Tools for 1:1 and in Groups

• On line Career File (Integrated within CP)A unique and freely available tool that can be used by your clients to manage their career development and includes:

-Self Assessment Tools & Reports: Interest profiler & Personality Profiler

-Career Note Pad: Store up to 10 documents: no USB keys!

-Save Career and Course Preferences: tag jobs and courses (PLC & CAO) to file

-Study Tips

-Colleges Direct News: up-dates and events direct from colleges and universities

“The Career File is the ultimate tool to facilitate adults to manage their careers as it provides tools and resources under the key headings of Careers Advice, Self-Assessment, Career Sectors, Course Search and Careers and Employment. The user can store all their

information in one file”Cork ETB

Access from any machine, anywhere.

Don't do for client what they

can do for themselves

Understanding FETAC Progression Pathways

20% of all applications to HEI’s come from the FETAC sector and within CareersPortal finding out what PLC courses are linked with Third Level colleges and courses couldn’t be easier!

In any PLC or CAO course search page if the course offers progression pathways this green link will appear beside the course title.

To find out what colleges and courses are available just click on the Award Code – in the FETAC Progression Route Box

Case Study: Translating Tools into Practice

Anna is (32 years old) a qualified chef whose business has collapsed. She completed her training in “Culinary Arts” in Crumlin College (DHCXX). She is in receipt of jobseekers benefit for the past 6 months. She has been living with her Sister and brother in law since her parent’s separation. Her Sister is now emigrating and she is very worried about where she will live. She says she has left CVs “all over the place” and has had two interviews but no success.

What resources could Anna use of CareersPortal.ie to help improve her employment prospects?

New Adult Learner Section

A variety of informative resources for individuals who have or are thinking about returning to education.

The different levels of qualifications are explained and how FETAC awards are used as a stepping stone to progress to third level courses.

What supports are available in terms of making education and career decisions is explained, including links to up skilling programmes, student finance, scholarships and latest education news.

Another key feature is the Course search tool which aims to bring together the wide range of courses available through government up-skilling programmes including Springboard, ICT Skills Conversion programmes, Momentum, SOLAS, Skillsnet, FIT and courses at PLC, CAO and Postgraduate level.

Revised Job Seeker Section

More and more our service is asked by clients “where are the jobs”, the CareersPortal occupation explorer is most useful to highlight immediately to practitioners and clients where there is an

occupation skills shortage. This tool gives clients hope for their future in these recessionary times”

Clare AEGI

Occupational Database: 678

Accountant•Jobseeker can watch a video of someone working in the role

•The top Interest areas related to the job are outlined i.e. Administrative, Enterprising and Investigative

•Job search links are live and link to 5 job sites

•Typical tasks including job zone is highlighted on the page

•CAO and PLC related courses are outlined

•Users will see if is a job is currently “in demand” and typical salary

Education and Job Zones 1-5

Level of Education required for Occupations

Where are the Jobs? Data provided and up-dated from EGFSN

Job Search Live Links

CareersPortal has 5 live jobs link sites built into each Occupational Page

Organisational Profiles – Sector Experts

What’s Next… Development of Adult

version of “REACH+”

Having established a close working relationship with career professionals across Ireland, we continue to listen closely to the needs on the ground, and develop additional resources where possible.

Your CareersPortal Resource Pack PowerPoint presentation for workshop (copy - will also be e-mailed)

Career Interests and the World of Work (A4 & posters provided and PDF will be e-mailed)

Sector Investigation Worksheet

Sample Interest Profiler & Personality Reports

Sample CAO Course Search Report (within Interest Profiler)

New CareersPortal A4 Flyer (information for clients)

2 Sample “Chronofunctional” CV Templates (useful for grouping skills and for experienced and professional clients)

Handout on Adult Learner and Jobseeker Resources

Business Card/Contact Information