Lucy Warner, an employee at Adviza, has become the first person to pass the new Career Development Professional (CDP) apprenticeship.

Her Level 6 CDP apprenticeship training was delivered by Adrian Pitt of Always Consult and ultimately assessed by Suffolk County Council. It included an OCR Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development, a recorded professional discussion and an extensive, relevant work-based project.

Adapting to the times

Lucy is an experienced Careers Adviser who, like all in her profession, has had to adapt to changing delivery models in the light of the global pandemic. Having already attained level 3 and 4 diplomas in Careers Guidance-related subjects, Lucy put her thoughts of gaining the level 6 qualification on hold so she could take maternity leave. But when she returned to work a new apprenticeship was available which would allow her to complete her qualifications, and Adviza was only too pleased to support her.

With guidance, CDP students are able to define their own workplace project, a key component of the apprenticeship. Lucy focused on optimising the digital delivery of careers advice, something she personally witnessed becoming more important over the last two years in her work with Adviza.

“The best thing of all about this has been the fact that my apprenticeship project is so relevant to my role and will allow Adviza to further enhance the digital delivery of our Careers Guidance service to schools, young people and adults” Lucy said. Recently promoted to Digital Services Lead at Adviza, she is now helping to do just that.

Blazing a trail

Monique Smith, who was Lucy’s manager during her apprenticeship, describes Lucy as “a trailblazer for the Level 6 Apprenticeship who will actively support others on a similar journey,” and added that “her research project proved to be such a useful resource for Adviza that, moving forward, it will reinvigorate practice methods.”

Lucy said she enjoyed great support throughout her apprenticeship. “Juggling life, work and study can be challenging, especially with a toddler in tow, and you need a great network around you. My manager, team and apprenticeship coach have been a big part of my achieving this qualification,” she said.

Adrian Pitt, Senior IAG and Careers Training Coordinator at Always Consult, was Lucy’s tutor and coach. He said,

“Lucy is part of the first cohort in the country to embark on the CDP with the added dilemma of a pandemic thrown into the mix. Her patience and positivity has shown no bounds and her achievements are significant in that she’s the first Careers Adviser to have completed the training. Lucy’s confidence as a guidance professional has grown tremendously and the quality of her delivery to Adviza customers has gone into sixth gear! That’s what an apprenticeship is all about. I am so proud of her.”

 

Blog: Why "careers" is a great career