Welcome to our web site!

We are a network of career consultants professionally trained and experienced in career and education guidance based in Devon.

We can help you with career change or progression and how to make the best decision for your future now.

We offer a specialised service helping you to become clearer about:

your hidden talents and abilities
your career options
how to apply for appropriate posts with confidence and enthusiasm
how to build on potential
how to create goals and follow them through
as an employer improving relations and getting the best from your employees while helping them to fulfill their potential

To find out what we can offer you go to our services page or take a look below at some examples of how we have helped our clients:

Craig

Craig was a young man aged 23 who left school at 18 after doing ‘A’ levels. He followed the advice of his parents and teachers and became an administrator in Local Government – a ‘safe’ job with good prospects – and Craig was doing well. However, he was becoming increasingly unhappy in this work environment and longed to change to a more practical career which he felt would be much more fulfilling. C.D.A. helped Craig to make a decision about a new career which really did suit him and supported him with finding the appropriate training and in formulating an action plan to clarify the steps he needed to take for it to happen.

Many people work in jobs they do not feel they are suited to and fail to seek the help they need to improve things because they do not know how much is available for them. A study by Lancaster University Management School found that dissatisfaction at work has serious mental and physical health implications.

Your work life has a direct influence on your personal well-being.

Instead of continuing to work at a job which is unsatisfying, or with people you don’t get on with, we can help you take action to change things. In today’s climate of constant change in the world of employment, training and education, people often need a guiding hand. Students, graduates, those looking for career progression or change of job – even those who have recently retired and want help in planning the next few years in a fulfilling and useful way – can all benefit from a face-to-face discussion with a Careers Adviser.

The Career Development Associates (CDA), a small group of professional Careers Advisers, has been set up to provide a service in Devon to help you.

Phil

Phil was in his forties and self-employed running his own successful carpentry business when he was hit by the recession. Because he enjoyed playing with I.T. a Career Adviser was able to identify that his creative and technical I.T. skills were an obvious strength. Phil's passion was working with Apple MAC and the adviser helped him to find training leading to a new career as an Apple MAC engineer, a market where there was in fact a shortage of qualified people.

Mary

Mary had taken time out from her career to have children. She felt her children were now at an age where she could return to work but she was out-of-date with her knowledge and skills. CDA helped her to look at her options, identify her skills gaps and get the training she needed to return to the work she loved.

Do you want to change your career, but do not know how to do it?

Would you like to know which of your skills, talents and special qualities are needed in the changing job market?
Have you reached a milestone in your life or been made redundant and would like to re-assess your career/life balance?
Do you want help in deciding your priorities and planning the next move?
Would you like to move beyond your perceived limitations and explore some interesting new ideas?

CDA can get you started!

Couldn't I do this on my own?

Talking to someone else helps to elucidate your thoughts. You are more likely to be successful in your search for the right career if you talk to a professional who understands people and jobs, who has experience of the world of work, and can guide you in making choices.

You will benefit by having a better understanding of yourself and your skills and how they match available jobs. You will become more aware of what is most important to you. By exploring ideas beyond your normal boundaries you may be surprised at what you could do!

If this is just what you need take this opportunity now and see what a difference it makes to your life!

For more information go to our services page.

If you are ready for a change we can help...