Skills Development Scotland
Careers Adviser - Inverness
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
If you require this advert in another format, please contact recruitment@sds.co.uk or call 0300 013 5119.
About the Company
We deliver Career Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) services across Scotland, supporting people of all ages to develop the skills, confidence and insight they need to make informed, ongoing career decisions. Working with schools, learning providers, employers and partner organisations, our teams play a key role in helping individuals progress into positive and sustainable learning, training or employment outcomes within their lifelong career journey. Be part of something bigger — build skills, change lives!
About the Role
You’ll provide high quality, impartial career information, advice and guidance using a coaching approach, supporting customers on a one to one and group basis. Your work will focus on developing their career management skills, helping individuals understand themselves and their options, set goals and take ownership of their career journey. Depending on service need, you may work with school age young people, post school young people and adults - all within the role of a Careers Adviser. You’ll work with customers to identify and agree their needs using approved tools, develop tailored career development plans, and work closely with partners to support effective transitions into learning, training or employment. You’ll also promote SDS services, including My World of Work, and maintain accurate records to support continuous improvement and high professional standards.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Responsibilities
- Provide high quality, impartial career information, advice and guidance.
- Support customers on a one to one and group basis.
- Develop career management skills in individuals.
- Help individuals understand themselves and their options.
- Set goals and take ownership of their career journey.
- Work with school age young people, post school young people and adults.
- Identify and agree customer needs using approved tools.
- Develop tailored career development plans.
- Work closely with partners to support effective transitions into learning, training or employment.
- Promote SDS services, including My World of Work.
- Maintain accurate records to support continuous improvement and high professional standards.
Qualifications
To be eligible for the role of Careers Adviser at Skills Development Scotland, you must hold the Career Development Institute (CDI) UK recognised professional Qualification in Career Development (QCD or its predecessor equivalent) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance and Development.
Required Skills
- Strong coaching and interpersonal skills.
- Understanding of career management skills and labour market information.
- Ability to work flexibly in a complex and changing environment.
- Commitment to National Occupational Standards and Code of Ethics.
- Continuous improvement and ongoing continuous professional development (CPD).
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Preferred Skills
- Experience in delivering career guidance.
- Knowledge of local labour market trends.
- Ability to work collaboratively with partners.
Pay range and compensation package
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.
Equal Opportunity Statement
At SDS we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. If you’ve got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race. Therefore, while we want to know about your relevant skills and experience, please avoid disclosing any identifying characteristics.
The closing date to submit your application is 2nd August 2026. Interviews are due to be scheduled as soon as possible thereafter.
If this opportunity excites you and you would like to discuss the role in more detail to help you decide if it is right for you, please contact Mhairi Bauld, mhairi.bauld@sds.co.uk.
Using AI can be a useful tool for drafting or polishing your application. Please remember to check that everything you submit is accurate and genuinely represents your skills, experience and voice. We value authenticity and want to hear your real story.
Find out here why you would want to live and work in Inverness!
To find out more about working at SDS and our application process please visit us at https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/work-with-us/.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills