Careers services
UNISON represents thousands of members working in careers services, in careers companies, schools, colleges and other employers
Our careers services members
We represent thousands of members in jobs across the careers sector, from support staff through to careers advisers, managers and even chief executives.
- In England, responsibility for careers services for young people rests with schools and the National Careers Service.
- In Scotland, careers information advice and guidance is provided by staff working for Skills Development Scotland.
- In Cymru/Wales, services are provided by staff working for Careers Wales.
Careers services have seen many changes over the years, with budget cuts restructurings and policy changes. This has caused job losses, cuts to terms and conditions and the undervaluing of professional qualifications.
UNISON wants to see a universal careers service accessible to people of all ages, delivered by qualified careers professionals and with a stable funding system.
The Career Development Policy Group
UNISON is a member of the Career Development Policy Group (CDPG), a group of organisations advocating policies and initiatives that support career development. The CDPG has produced a Career Guidance Guarantee detailing what is needed to reform England’s career guidance system.
Careers advice and AI
UNISON’s Careers Forum recognises the growing presence of AI technology in career guidance services and wishes to outline our position on its appropriate use in the profession:
AI can enhance our work by streamlining administrative tasks, supporting research and content creation. By reducing time spent on routine administrative duties, career advisors can focus on direct client support.
AI cannot replace career advisors. Career guidance is fundamentally about human connection, empathy, and understanding individual circumstances. It requires emotional intelligence, local knowledge, and professional judgment – the complex, personal nature of career decision-making requires human insight, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to build trust that technology cannot replicate.
We therefore call for:
- Comprehensive training before AI implementation.
- Meaningful consultation with staff and unions on technology decisions.
- Clear boundaries ensuring AI supplements rather than substitutes professional expertise.
- Protection of employment and professional standards.
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