Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Provide Consultation and Advice to Others Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Working Life

• Supports the development of jobseeking skills and techniques such as preparing a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae and application forms
• Helps participants to develop an individual job search plan
• Support & prepare participants for job interviews
• Build relationships and rapport with participants
• Develop verbal communication skills as well as body language skills
• Identify individual strengths and skills and match them to local employment opportunities
• Explore and analyse local available work opportunities
• Have access to the facilities of the Job Club (telephones, computers, internet, email, newspapers, Jobs Ireland website, and other relevant data sources)
• Develop a network of contacts that supports particpants to access employment opportunities

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
• Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.
• Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.
• Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
• Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
• Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
• Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programmes and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.
• Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

There are many pathways to develop towards a career in delivering support in a jobs club. Jobs clubs are funded by DEASP around the country and also delivered by local area partnerships in communities.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: teaching, facilitation, youth, community work, social work, social care work, life coaching, personnel, HR.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: teaching, facilitation, youth, community work, social work, social care work, life coaching, personnel, HR.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: teaching, youth, community work, social work, personnel, HR.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: career guidance, counseling.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Dublin City University (DCU) MSc in Guidance Counseling 2 year part time (contact DCU directly regarding entry criteria)

University of Limerick (UL) MA Guidance Counseling & Lifespan Development 2 year part time (contact UL directly regarding entry criteria)

Maynooth University 

Certificate in Adult Guidance, Theory and Practice 
1 year part-time (contact MU directly for more information and entry criteria)

Post Graduate Diploma (Arts) in Adult Guidance Counseling 2 year part time - FURTHER EDUCATION ONLY - (contact MU directly regarding entry criteria)

Recognising Foreign Guidance Qualifications

NARIC Ireland provides advice on the academic recognition of foreign qualifications by comparing them, where possible and appropriate, to a major award type and level on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). A comparability statement for each qualification listed is available for download on the NARIC website.

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Institute of Guidance Counselors

ILDN Irish Local Development network

Gov.ie Job Clubs Network support

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €47k

Salaris will be based on the Local Area partnership salary scale. These may vary slightly between eachpartnership, based on sessional or prorata hours worked

Data Source(s):
ILDN/ Gov.ie/ Forsa

Last Updated: May, 2022

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Vocational and industrial trainers and instructors, Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists, Driving instructors.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Despite little growth in employment levels between 2020 and 2022, employment grew in 2023 (by 1,400 persons) resulting in an above average growth rate annually over the five-year period. A small number of employment permits were issued, mainly for guide dog instructors. It should be noted that career guidance professionals working in the second level system are most likely captured in the secondary teaching occupations.

The introduction of additional policy initiatives aimed at increasing Ireland’s lifelong learning participation (to reach new EU targets) will likely lead to increased demand for these roles.

• Activelink

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• ILDN Irish Local Development Network

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• Intreo - DEASP

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