The responsibility for providing high quality careers advice has now fallen directly on schools. To ensure that schools maintain a high standard of delivery the government has introduced the new Quality in Careers Service (QiCS) standard. We worked with Investors in Career, whose standard meets the requirement of the QiCS, to create an online application process for their award.
The Investor in Careers standard, which was developed by Careers South West, has been the leading standard for assessing the quality of careers advice delivered in schools. Ten times more schools have applied for this award than any other. However they have recognised that 80% of High schools still do not have an award and that their existing infrastructure to support the assessments in school needs modifying.
Careers South West are based in Exeter and the challenge they were faced with was how could they expand the number of schools using their standard in the way that reduced their costs without compromising on the rigour of their process.
They therefore commissioned AXIA Digital to create an online version of their current paper based system. We reflected in full the current process and were able to provide additional benefits. Schools will be able to use a greater range of evidence including adding multimedia files and assessors will be able to review the evidence before they visit the school, thereby ensuring that they can identify the areas they need to focus upon.