Two day course for careers practitioners in guidance theory and practice, QCF level 6
London – Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 November 2013
Developments in Guidance Theory
A practical guide
Overview
‘Careers are seldom planned but are often developed by being aware of and acting on the landmarks
that appear on the way’. Mitchell (2003)
The world of opportunities is rapidly changing and increasingly complex. Rather than a job for life
with a stable job role, people have to navigate constant change. In this master class we will briefly
explore the limitations of traditional career choice theory and consider recent developments
including:



Planned Happenstance; how to enable clients to make the most of ‘chance’ opportunities;
Informed intuition: what part does this play in effective decision making? How to help clients
explore their own narrative through visualisation
Constructivism: working from how our clients see their world
The day will be highly practical, considering the implications of these developments for practice and
trying out activities that can be used to support client’s decision making.
Learning Outcomes
The programme has been designed in line with the new Qualifications Framework at level 6. During
the two days links will be made to the QCF learning outcomes.
By the end of the day participants will be able to:



Evaluate the merits and limitations of the trait and factor matching approach
Identify the impact of ‘chance’ events on one’s career and practical ways of enabling clients
to navigate a rapidly changing economy
Use a decision making method that harnesses the imagination and encourages clients to use
their intuition in an informed way
Programme (the timings may be slightly adjusted to tailor the day to delegate’s needs)
9.30
Registration, tea and coffee
9.45
Welcome and introduction
Overview of the day
10.00. Defining ‘career’:
Moving beyond traditional definitions to the portfolio and boundaryless career.
10.15 Career Management and adaptability
Navigating and ever-changing career landscape
10.45 Break
11.00 Traditional Career Choice Theory:
Brief reminder of traditional theories such as differentialism, opportunity structuralism,
developmentalism and social learning. The merits of these theories.
Overview of developments in theory
The realities of how people actually end up doing what they do. Critique of traditional
matching theories including the importance of context, community and culture
Constructivism: Working from how people see their world, exploring their constructs in the
guidance process. Practical activity for use with clients.
Community Interaction theory: harnessing the support of others
12.30 Lunch and networking
1.15
Narrative theory continued: the importance of intuition
 Understanding intuition
 Practical methods for developing informed intuition with clients
 The importance of imagination and metaphor
 The narrative approach
2.30
Break
2.45
Planned Happenstance: how much does ‘chance’ play a part in what people end up doing?
How many people end up in careers they planned for at 16? How can advisers incorporate
the role of the unpredictable into their work with clients?
3.45
Evaluation and close
Trainer biography
Liane is a consultant with 20 years experience in the career guidance field as a practitioner, QCG
lecturer at two universities and freelance consultant. She has an excellent reputation as a trainer
with particular areas of expertise in career theory, advanced career coaching, ethical and reflective
practice and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. She has designed and delivered
training throughout the UK for a wide range of guidance providers, and produced the guidance
model and quality standards for Wales.
Liane is author of Let’s Talk Guidance, a DVD and learning resource on Career guidance and coaching
and has published articles on Career theory, the role of faith in career decision making and Planned
Happenstance.
Two day course for careers practitioners in guidance theory and practice, QCF level 6
London – Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 November 2013
Advanced Career Guidance and Coaching
Overview
One-to-one career guidance and coaching is a highly skilled process that demands a high level of
artistry, reading the individual client and tailoring one’s approach to ensure that the best outcome is
achieved. This master class will cover:



The challenges of contracting, how to avoid spiels, sell the benefits of an in-depth service and
fully engage the client right at the outset
Exploring the client’s story: managing the pressures of time constraints, balancing flexibility
with structure and efficiency; the use of pertinent questions
Effective challenging using facilitative methods; reflecting back and curious questions;
The day will be highly practical, exploring a range of tactics and sharing good practice. The
approaches used will be suitable for use with a wide range of clients.
Learning Outcomes
The programme has been designed in line with the new Qualifications Framework at level 6. During
the day links will be made to the QCF learning outcomes.
By the end of the day participants will be able to:



Identify techniques for making contracting meaningful and engaging for both adviser and
client
Evaluate a range of questions and tactics that can be used to efficiently and effectively
explore the client’s story
Evaluate how to challenge in a client-centred way
Programme (the timings may be slightly adjusted to tailor the day to delegate’s needs)
9.30
Registration, tea and coffee
9.45
Welcome and introduction
Overview of the day
10.00. Advice, Guidance or coaching?
A three stage guidance model. The balance of structure and flexibility.
The three levels of practice: technician, professional and artist
Ethical underpinnings: establishing an ethical relationship
10.45 Break
11.00 The challenges of contracting
How to make contracting meaningful: dealing with unrealistic expectations; getting ‘buy in’
from clients who have been sent or who are ambivalent about the process; explaining
guidance simply and in a way that makes sense to the client; avoiding spiels about
confidentiality; use of visual prompts and analogies;
12.30 Lunch and networking
1.16
Exploring the story
The need for a framework to inform questioning; evaluation of existing frameworks;
What to ask? We will consider the findings of a field exercise which explored the most
pertinent questions and tactics used by 600 careers advisers and coaches.
In depth probing questioning.
2.45
Break
3.00
Facilitative challenging: reflecting back the story; raising awareness of high leverage issues;
using curious questions to gently challenge
3.45
Evaluation and close
Recent evaluations of previous delegates
‘Delivered in an enthusiastic and inspiring way’ Adult Adviser 2011
‘Some excellent pointers to develop my work’ Connexions PA 2011
‘Very reassuring – I feel more confident in what I do’. All age adviser 2011
‘Excellent programme – fascinating content and brilliant delivery’ Connexions PA 2011
Trainer biography
Liane is a consultant with 20 years experience in the career guidance field as a practitioner, QCG
lecturer at two universities and freelance consultant. She has an excellent reputation as a trainer
with particular areas of expertise in career theory, advanced career coaching, ethical and reflective
practice and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. She has designed and delivered
training throughout the UK for a wide range of guidance providers, and produced the guidance
model and quality standards for Wales.
Liane is author of Let’s Talk Guidance, a DVD and learning resource on Career guidance and coaching
and has published articles on Career theory, the role of faith in career decision making and Planned
Happenstance.