At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with career guidance and personal development through tailored advice and workshops.
- Company: Join the largest education provider in the South East Midlands, dedicated to student success.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and discounts on retail and leisure.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your own skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Level 2 English and maths, plus experience supporting diverse learners.
- Other info: Flexible part-time role with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 27717 - 32515 £ per year.
Location: Central Bedfordshire College – Dunstable Kingsway Campus
Salary/Benefits: Salary between £27,717 and £32,515 per annum (Pro‑Rata) DOE and Qualifications, 27 days annual leave (Pro‑Rata) plus Bank holidays, People’s pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.
Hours/Weeks: 22.5 hours per week – 52 weeks per year
Contract Type: Permanent – Part Time
Right to work: UK based contract; you must have the Right to Work in the UK. Sponsorship is not offered.
About the role:
- Careers Guidance & Programme Delivery: Support the Student Adviser Team Leader in designing and delivering a cross‑college careers programme, offering impartial IAG to students and applicants through 1:1, group sessions and tutorial‑based activities.
- Pastoral, Welfare & Financial Support: Provide personalised support or referral for pastoral, welfare and financial needs, including bursaries, transport, benefits advice and HE funding guidance.
- Progression, HE & Data Management: Assist with UCAS applications, research progression routes, produce reports and statistical returns, update HE guides and contribute to strategies that raise aspirations and promote progression into HE, work or training.
- Safeguarding, Compliance & Customer Service: Maintain accurate safeguarding records, ensure information shared with students is up to date, uphold College policies, support quality processes and deliver excellent customer service across all touchpoints.
- Collaboration, Events & College – Wide Support: Work closely with internal teams and external agencies, support enrolment, open days and events, contribute to staff development, represent the College externally and provide flexible cover within Student Services.
About you:
- Qualifications & Career Development: L2 English and maths, Level 3 subject qualification, and Level 6 Careers/IAG qualification (or willingness to work towards), plus Youth Mental Health First Aid certification.
- Experience with Learners & Diverse Groups: Successful experience supporting young people and adults 1:1 and in groups, with a strong track record of working effectively in diverse, customer‑focused environments.
- Communication, Administration & IT Skills: Strong administrative ability, attention to detail, confident written and verbal communication (including letters and professional phone manner), and competent use of Word, spreadsheets and databases.
- Teamwork, Leadership & Problem‑Solving: Ability to motivate others, use initiative, solve problems, organise events and activities, meet deadlines, and contribute positively as part of a whole‑college team.
- Professionalism, Flexibility & Reliability: Friendly, outgoing and flexible approach, able to travel across sites, with good attendance and time‑keeping records and a practical, organised working style.
For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.
Interviews to be held: TBC
Alignment to our VISION values:
- Valuing Teamwork: We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
- Improving Continuously: We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
- Student Centred: At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
- Inclusive: We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
- Open and Caring: We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
- Nurturing Education Excellence: We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.
About The Bedford College Group:
The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year. Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land‑based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, the only dedicated sixth‑form in Bedford; The Corby Sixth Form, opened in September 2023; and the National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community‑based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.
Safeguarding our Students:
The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough vetting process which includes an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Student Advisor - Careers employer: Bedford College Group
Contact Detail:
Bedford College Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Advisor - Careers
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections, attend career fairs, and join relevant groups on social media. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Student Advisor role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the college and its values. Understand their mission and how you can contribute to their vision. This will show them you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it's through mock interviews or casual chats with friends, being articulate and confident will help you shine during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our awesome team at The Bedford College Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Student Advisor - Careers
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Student Advisor – Careers. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of supporting students, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of interaction with students and staff, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strong written communication skills. Use clear, concise language in your application and make sure to proofread for any errors.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Share specific examples from your past roles that showcase your experience in providing support to diverse groups. We love seeing how you’ve made a positive impact in similar environments, so let us know about your successes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bedford College Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Student Advisor in Careers. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, especially around careers guidance and pastoral support. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported students or worked in diverse environments. Highlight your communication skills and any relevant qualifications, like your Level 6 Careers/IAG qualification or Youth Mental Health First Aid certification, to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since the college values teamwork, be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Share instances where you contributed positively to a team or helped organise events, as this aligns with their vision of valuing teamwork and improving continuously.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the college's approach to student support or their future plans for the careers programme. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the college is the right fit for you.