Opportunity Adviser – Jobs Guarantee Programme
Location: Sunderland - this is a hybrid role with regular travel to sites across the Sunderland area.
This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week)
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.
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 28th October (Please note, we reserve the right to close our vacancies early if sufficient applications are received).
How to apply: To be considered for this vacancy, applicants are required to complete and submit a fully completed application form through our website.
Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
This role will require the successful candidate to go through an enhanced DBS check.
Salary & Benefits
£28,925 per annum
Benefits include:
- 30 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rota)
- 2 days of paid volunteering per year (pro rota)
- Matched Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Discounted gym memberships
- Health care cash plan
- Retail discounts
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Wellbeing App
- Access to training portal to help support your own CPD
EDT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults whom we work with and come into contact with around the world. All applicants are subject to thorough screening and successful candidates are subject to the relevant level of criminal record checks with national police authorities or the UK’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This will be at minimum a basic DBS check.
EDT is a proud Disability Confident Leader. We take practical steps to ensure that disability inclusion is not only part of our values but part of our everyday actions. We are committed to creating a working environment where disabled employees are supported, valued, and empowered to thrive in their role. If you are disabled or require specific adjustments during the application process, please do let us know how we can support you.
We understand that artificial intelligence (AI) tools (such as ChatGPT) can be helpful when applying for jobs – especially for those who require additional support during the recruitment process. However, while you may decide to use AI tools for ideas or pointers, we request that you do not rely heavily on them when answering questions. We are looking for responses that are personal to you, including details and examples of your abilities and work experience to date, and we consider copying and pasting AI-generated responses to be a misuse of AI tools. Likewise, we do not use AI-driven recruitment screening software, because we value authenticity and prefer to make personal connections with our candidates. If you have used AI to support your application – including in emails and responses to questions – please disclose this on your application form. If you would like clarification on how AI can be used in your application to EDT, please contact the Recruitment team via the EDT website.
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