The Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance commenced at the university of Ulster in 2002. The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) seconded 20 existing members of staff (Trainee Careers Advisers) to undertake the diploma in 2002-03. All 20 were employed in the DEL Careers Service as Careers Advisers on completion of the course. In addition the Department has recruited a further 12 graduates from the programme since its inception.
The number of graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance who found employment as Careers Advisers with other organisations in Northern Ireland is not recorded.
The Department for Employment and Learning’s (DEL) Careers Service entered into partnership with the university of Ulster (UU) to deliver the Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG) in September 2002.
In 2002-03 DEL sponsored 20 staff and provided an additional 10 bursaries amounting to £211,940.
In 2003-04 16 bursaries were awarded at a cost of £98,710.
In 2004-05 19 bursaries were awarded at a cost of £120,020.
In 2005-06 fees and travel expenses were paid in respect of six existing Careers Advisers completing four modules of the course to supplement existing qualifications. The total paid was £26,760.
There is no financial commitment by the Department in 2006-07.
20 employees of the Department for Employment and Learning completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance (QCG) in the first year of the course (2002-03). A further six employees completed four modules of the course during 2005-06.