Careers Information
This section provides information about all the sources of information, advice and guidance (or IAG) about progressing your career ... or if you want to, changing it! That's why we have posted links to job vacancies in our industries and advice services for careers outside our industries!
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)
The information below is taken from the Unionlearn Website (Unionlearn is the TUC's 'learning arm') and we recommend that you should visit the site for more comprehensive information about IAG matters and much else besides!
All adults need access to good quality information, advice and guidance(IAG). Getting the right kind of information, advice and guidance canhelp them make the right decisions about learning and work. It alsomeans a better understanding of the skills and qualities they need toimprove their employability or achieve personal ambitions.
What is IAG?
Information -information on learning and work, which may include information oncourses, careers and the job market, financial help and childcare.
Advice - support from an experienced advisor to help the learner understand and use the information provided.
Guidance - indepth one-to -oneinterview with a trained adviser that matches the aims and aspirations of the learner to the correct programme of training
Remember that your own local BECTU learning rep may be able to help 'signpost' you to a relevant and high quality IAG service with Skillset Careers or through other quality services.
Skillset Careers is the IAG service for the Audio-visual industries. It was first established by BECTU with support from the Union Learning Fund but is now fully owned and managed by Skillset and BECTU has no direct role in its running. Skillset Careers provides a number of levels of service including a 1-to-1 advice session which attracts a special subsidy for BECTU members. The website is pretty useful as a starting point for anyone wanting to seriously think about their career development.
Unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice was set up especially for union members, you get free expert advice on your learning or career options. Ask for a Unionlearn advisor to call you back at a time that suits you. All calls are completely free, whether to a landline or mobile telephone. Just visit the link above or download the leaflet 
More Information, advice & guidance from Unionlearn can be found on the new joint Learn Direct and Unionlearn advice line (above) as well as acourse directory with 950,000 courses, job profiles for 700 jobs and a directory of funds to help you access finance.
Our own pages on this website might also be useful if you can't find what you need above.
Business Link England (and affilliated organisations in Wales, NI & Scotland) - masses of advice about running a business local to you.
UK-wide A-Z - A comprehensive list of contacts for setting up and supporting a business
Business Link London for advice on becoming a freelancer and a free online course that is designed to help you start up a business - called 'startquest'. There are somilar Business Link services around the country.
The watercooler advice bulletin board is probably best for new entrants to the industry but there might be something useful.