Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Career Leadership

Module One – The Guidance Network 

This module focuses on the networks and contexts in which guidance work is carried out. The module addresses underpinning theories of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), how these tie in with models of one to one and group interaction and how guidance is addressed in various learning settings. 

Learning Outcomes 

Module Learning Outcome	Career Leader training Learning Outcome
Evaluates and critically appraises guidance theory and policy.	Discuss key aspects of career theory and how these apply to their learners and to the school or colleges career programme and the local/regional context
Evaluates and critically appraises the effectiveness of the various contexts of guidance and the networks that exist for guidance provision	Discuss and apply relevant policies and frameworks for practice
Critically evaluates principles of curriculum planning, design and delivery in relation to Careers Education and Guidance programmes	Describe the Gatsby Benchmarks, review their school or colleges current level of implementation and set out a plan for taking these forward
Critically appraises the provision of opportunity information and labour market information	Describe a range of different education and employment routes, including vocational routes such as apprenticeships and the new T levels, and make use of career and labour market information to underpin this knowledge and support their school or colleges careers programme.

Assessment 

A written assignment of 5000 words critically analysing how a guidance network has worked to support a client and the information sources used.  This must be accompanied by a Client Information Resource Pack (equivalent to 1000 words) which will be presented as a fully indexed appendix. 

Delivery  

A range of appropriate teaching and learning strategies will be employed to assist individual and collaborative learning including lectures, tutorials, student presentations, workshops, group discussions and e-learning and on-line discussions. Module documentation will be available on the university’s VLE in advance of the lectures. Work-based learning is integral to the module and students are expected to reflect on own professional practice to make links between theory, research and practice. 

Module Two - Leadership and Management in Career Education and Development 

This module will develop the students understanding of theories of leadership, management and the organisation of professional practice within the career education and development sector They will explore relevant theory and practical factors such as: the impact of organisational structures and culture on practice; the value and practice of developmental supervision, coaching and mentoring; the management of change in professional practice, networking and inter-agency working.  They will be provided with opportunities to develop your skills in relation to these aspects of management and leadership, both in class and (as appropriate) in the workplace.   

Learning Outcomes 

Module Learning Outcome	Career Leader training Learning Outcome
Considers and reflects critically on the relevance of organisational theory to leadership, decision-making and working relationships with stakeholders.	Describe how they will keep their school/college programme up to date going forwards.  Develop themselves and their programme in the light of reflection evaluation and new evidence.
Compares and critiques models and styles of leadership and leadership development.	Describe and perform the key roles and attributes that compromise career leadership.
Critically explores the relationship between leadership, management and organisational development.	Articulate and adopt the principles of  good leadership and management and consider how these can apply to leading careers provision in a school or college.

Assessment  

There are two elements to the assessment for this module. 

1. Personal Leadership Development Plan 

Completion of a self-assessment of the student’s leadership capabilities, using a recognised competencies / traits framework, agreed with the module tutor at the outset.  Based on this self-assessment, students will devise a personalised leadership development action plan which will also incorporate critical feedback from somebody in a leadership / management position (ideally someone who is familiar with their practice), as well as details about how they will evaluate the implementation of the plan.  The report (2,500 words) will incorporate reference to relevant leadership theories, and will be submitted along with all the materials used to produce the plan. 

 

    2. Development of a Strategic Careers Programme 

 Submission of a report (3000 words) detailing the planning and implementation of a quality assured careers programme for an educational setting. Students are expected to include how they will manage the delivery of career guidance, how they will network with external partners and how they will coordinate the contributions of career teachers, subject teachers, tutors and SENCOs. They will refer to their Personal Leadership Development Plan and to any relevant theory relating to careers education and guidance 

Delivery  

A range of appropriate teaching and learning strategies will be employed to assist individual and collaborative learning including lectures, tutorials, student presentations, workshops, group discussions and e-learning and on-line discussions. Module documentation will be available on the university’s VLE in advance of the lectures. Work-based learning is integral to the module and students are expected to reflect on own professional practice to make links between theory, research and practice.