Opportunity Adviser – Jobs Guarantee Programme

About the role

Education Development Trust is looking for an Opportunity Adviser to join our Jobs Guarantee Programme, supporting unemployed young people to access and sustain meaningful employment, education and training (EET) opportunities.

Working with a caseload of young people referred through DWP Work Coaches, you will provide personalised advice, guidance and coaching from their first appointment through to their transition into a positive longer-term outcome.

You’ll also work closely with employers, local partners and support organisations to ensure each young person is matched with the right opportunity and receives the support they need to succeed.

What you’ll be doing

As an Opportunity Adviser, you will:

• Manage a caseload of young people, providing tailored information, advice, guidance and coaching
• Complete initial assessments to understand each participant’s skills, needs, aspirations and potential barriers
• Develop individual support plans with clear developmental and career goals
• Match young people with suitable funded job opportunities and work with employers to ensure roles meet individual needs
• Provide regular 1:1 support, progress reviews and workplace visits where required
• Deliver engaging group workshops to help young people prepare for and succeed in the workplace
• Build strong relationships with employers, DWP Work Coaches, Local Authorities, training providers and other local partners
• Work with employers and young people to resolve challenges and support successful placements
• Help participants prepare for their next step into sustained employment, education or training
• Maintain accurate participant records and ensure all activity meets programme, quality and compliance requirements
• Work towards individual and programme targets and KPIs

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who can build trust with young people while also developing effective professional relationships with employers and partner organisations.

You will ideally bring:

• A Level 4 qualification or equivalent in a relevant area
• Experience of working with young people, ideally supporting their needs, aspirations, employability or personal development
• Experience of working with employers and stakeholders
• Experience of partnership working and delivering services collaboratively
• Experience within the skills, employability or a related sector
• Experience of managing a caseload within a target-driven environment
• Knowledge of the local labour market and issues relating to skills, learning and employment
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and achieve targets
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and experience of working with online systems or databases
• A flexible approach, including the ability to travel locally when required

A Level 4 qualification in Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) would be desirable, as would knowledge of diagnostic assessment tools, NEET provision and the wider skills and employability agenda.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to young people at an important stage in their lives. You’ll help participants recognise their strengths, develop their confidence and skills, access employment opportunities and work towards a sustainable future.

The role is area based, combining home working with travel to community locations and employer premises to support young people across your allocated area.

A full list of job objectives can be found in the job description.