Azra Begum

About Me

Highly experienced Careers Professional who has recently completed the PGCert - Post Graduate Certificate in Careers Leadership extensive experience in interviewing and coaching individuals in a one-to-one setting and in small groups, discussing career and education options, clearly identifying skills gaps and opening a discussion about dealing with bridging skills gaps.
Supporting students to draw up SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) action plans for education, training and employment including discussing routes into traineeships/T levels/apprenticeships, whilst providing support to achieve their career goals.
Utilising LMI (Labour Market Information) knowledge to research suitable and realistic employment, education and training opportunities. Advising individuals on sourcing relevant employment opportunities, training courses and qualifications, as well as sourcing funded options.
Supporting students to understand the current job market and local training and education provision. Liaising and advocating with local employers and organisations on student’s behalf.
Providing advice on developing CV’s, Covering Letters, completing applications, job searching and interview techniques. Developing tailored workshops and delivering them to small groups on all aspects of career-related topics, including CV and Interview Skills Workshops, Confidence Building and sector specific workshops (e.g. Health, Business, IT, Retail, Law, Hospitality and Catering).
Successful and confident in using online career tools to improve students career management skills e.g. Skills Assessment Tools (National Careers Service Skills Health Check), online tools designed to support exploring skills, interests and motivation. When assessments have been completed, discussion takes place with students to identify transferable skills and support decision making in selecting appropriate courses, training and apprenticeship routes.
Successful completion of NVQ Level 2, 3 and 4 in Advice and Guidance and Level 6 Diploma in Careers Guidance and Development, with over 20 years extensive experience within the Employment Support Services and the Careers Guidance field, providing an impartial careers advice and guidance provision with the National Careers Service to young people and adults those not in education, employment and training (NEET).
Providing careers provision, interviewing and coaching individuals in one-to-one settings and within small groups, discussing career and educational options, clearly identifying skills gaps and opening a discussion about dealing with bridging skills gaps.
Supporting young people and adults to draw up SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) action plans for employment, education and training to enhance achievement, including discussing routes into GCSE, A levels, T Levels, vocational study and undergraduate study including lower-level apprenticeships including traineeships whilst providing support to achieve career goals.
Experience of offering career planning for post-16 and post 18 provision and exploring and understanding the current situation with students, identifying career destination and supporting with effective action planning to connect with career goal/s into education, employment and training.
Experience of delivering a high-quality Careers Guidance service utilising excellent communication skills with students and adults in one-to-one and group sessions, use of clear and concise language in a friendly professional manner.
Utilising active listening skills ensuring use of open/closed questions, asking clarifying questions and rephrasing to ensure understanding, in order to work towards suitable outcome for students. Work towards meeting all of the Eight Gatsby Benchmarks that are a requirement for the Careers and Enterprise Company inputting all activities that have been completed to the Compass plus tool.