QCG Student perspective

As a QCG Student at the University of East London, the NGRF has been an invaluable tool.  Throughout the course, I have used the NGRF for research purposes, and have found it to be particularly useful to gain up-to-date Labour Market Information by sector and region. 

The NGRF also has a very useful supply of information on issues such as equal opportunities and policy context.  It has provided me with a wider understanding of the guidance world which has been (and will be) an essential part of the QCG and my future practice. 

Trainer

COMING SOON....

Andrew, Practitioner

As a Personal Adviser with Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire I think the NGRF is a great resource for practitioners. The new LMI learning modules are really useful, you can dip into them and there are quizzes and activities.  The section on gender  makes you think about your day to day practice. 

If you're doing an NVQ through work, a QCG or just want to update yourself on career theories the Theory for Guidance Practice section provides excellent, easy to read summaries. 

We sometimes complain about not getting high quality LMI and not being sure what the future holds for particular career areas, well you can find loads of this under Future Trends.  I know we're all busy but I really think you should invest some time in exploring the NGRF website, and to return to it on a regular basis!

Gill, University Careers Service Manager

As a manager responsible for assuring the quality of careers education and guidance in a University Careers Service, I dip into the NGRF regularly.  If I need a bit of background on a policy issue or to find out about practice elsewhere I know I will find something useful.  I've used the section on benefits of guidance when promoting our work, and in considering how we evaluate our effectiveness.  New approaches in guidance has been helpful when we're considering innovations in service delivery. 

I've found loads of useful ideas when I'm planning professional development activities for our team of career consultants, such as the LMI on line tool.  Its great to have a resource that’s not specific to the higher education context, and to get a wider perspective, particularly on LMI future trends.

Hayley, CeGS Researcher 

As a Researcher at the Centre for Guidance Studies (CeGS), University of Derby, I undertake primary and secondary research projects in the areas of youth policy, adult guidance and workforce development. 

The NGRF is an invaluable resource and is used extensively by the research team for a variety of purposes, including: to identify a diverse array of resources, such as the latest research, statistics and public policy documents; to obtain LMI by sector; and to elicit the views of practitioners, managers and others through the discussion forum.  The NGRF was utilised in the above ways in a recent literature review on information and support services for young people.

Ann, Skillset (employer organisation)

We have been working in partnership with the NGRF team to populate the website with LMI on various sectors.  As SSCs, our employers tell us that it is vitally important that careers practitioners get a true, up-to-date picture of their industries so that they can help clients to make the right job/career decisions.  The NGRF’s Future Trends section does just that – all our sectors are presented in a consistent, impartial way.  This not only means that it is easier for practitioners to navigate through the information, but also means they don’t have to go to umpteen sources to research specific industries. 

The new on-line learning resource on the NGRF is an exciting addition that helps advisers to get to grips to LMI so they can use it within the guidance process. 

People with an interest in guidance should also have a look at the wealth of other information and support for careers practitioners on the site, from equal opportunities to migrant workers.  The site has great potential and we certainly endorse its use and future development.