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Career Ally Programme: Your Questions Answered
Find answers to common questions about the CPD-certified Career Ally programme
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About the Programme
What exactly is a Career Ally?
A Career Ally is a trusted staff member or volunteer who has completed Stay Nimble's CPD-certified training in career-supporting conversations.
You're not a coach - you remain the community helper you already are, now with enhanced skills for: running structured conversations that clarify goals and barriers, demonstrating digital career tools (Stay Nimble platform and Ask.Nim), sharing resources using clear, jargon-free language, recognising when residents need qualified coach referrals, and following proper escalation procedures for safeguarding concerns. Think of it as professional development that enhances what you already do, not a new job role.
Do I need to be a qualified career coach?
No. Career Allies are not coaches. This training gives you frameworks to improve conversations you're already having, digital tools to demonstrate to residents, and clear guidance on when to refer to our qualified CDI-registered coaches. It's about enhancing your existing community role, not changing it.
What's the difference between a Career Ally and a qualified coach?
Career Allies (you) provide enhanced first-line support, use a 4-question model for focused conversations (15-30 minutes), demonstrate digital tools, help with basic CV and job search questions, and refer to specialists when needed.
Qualified Coaches (CDI-registered professionals) provide deeper, ongoing support (multiple sessions), work on complex situations (career transitions, extended unemployment, confidence issues), have specialised training in career development theory, and meet professional qualification and supervision requirements.
You work together as a system. You're the accessible first point of contact, coaches provide depth when needed.
How long does the training take?
Total: 4 hours. This includes 6 self-paced modules = 3 hours (complete over 2-3 weeks at your own pace) and 1 live practice session = 1 hour (scheduled, attendance required).
Most people spread it over 2-3 weeks, doing 30-40 minutes at a time.
What if I can't make my scheduled live session?
No problem - you can reschedule to a different date at no charge. The live session is required to earn your Structured Conversations Practitioner badge and overall credential, so you'll need to attend one before completion. We recommend booking early in your preferred time slot as sessions do fill up.
Is there a cost?
Currently, the Career Ally programme is available at no charge to frontline community workers. This may be funded through your organisation's partnership with Stay Nimble, grant funding supporting community career infrastructure, or social value commitments in public sector contracts. Check with your manager about how the programme is funded in your setting.
When are the live practice sessions?
We run multiple sessions each month at different times (mornings, afternoons) to accommodate various schedules.
When you reach the end of Module 2, you'll see a calendar of available dates and can book the one that works for you. Sessions are limited to 6-8 participants to ensure quality practice time.
Digital Badges
How do the digital badges work?
Every module you complete earns a digital badge issued through Navigatr, a professional credentialing platform. You can add badges to your LinkedIn profile (credentials section), include in email signature, share on digital CV and portfolio, show managers for performance reviews, and demonstrate to employers during job applications.
Badges show specific skills you've developed, verification that you completed the training, issue date and issuing organisation (Stay Nimble), CPD hours earned, and a link back to badge criteria for verification.
Can employers and managers see these badges?
Yes - that's the point! When you add badges to LinkedIn or your CV, anyone can click through to see what the badge represents, what skills you developed, what you had to do to earn it, and verification from Stay Nimble.
They're professional credentials, not participation certificates.
What's the difference between the module badges and the final credential?
Module badges (5 total) are training badges (hexagon shape) awarded for completing each individual module and show specific skill development.
The Career Ally Credential (1 final badge) is a certified credential (heptagon shape - 7 sides), CPD-certified micro-credential only awarded when ALL 6 modules + live session complete. This is the "big one" you lead with on LinkedIn and is valid for 12 months with annual renewal. Think of module badges as building blocks, the final credential as the complete certification.
Do I have to share my badges publicly?
No - it's your choice. You can add them to LinkedIn (recommended for professional visibility), keep them in your private Navigatr portfolio, share selectively (e.g., with your manager but not publicly), or download and include in job applications.
Most Career Allies share on LinkedIn because it increases professional visibility and job opportunities.
Can I use these skills in other jobs?
Absolutely. The skills you learn are transferable. Career conversations work in any role involving recruitment and HR, career services (universities, colleges), employment support programmes, volunteer coordination, and youth work and mentoring.
Digital badge credentials demonstrate commitment to professional development, communication and listening skills, understanding of career support principles, technology proficiency, and ethical practice.
Many Career Allies use this training as a stepping stone to career development roles or professional qualification (CDI Level 4 Certificate).
Content & Skills
What if I'm not confident with technology?
That's okay, the training includes help with this. For completing the training the platform is designed to be straightforward, video guides show you exactly where to click, and technical support is available if you get stuck.
For demonstrating tools to residents, Module 3 teaches you step-by-step, you practice before working with real residents, the "sitting alongside" approach means you guide (not perform), and the Platform Demo Checklist gives you a script to follow.
If you can use email and browse websites, you can do this training.
What if I work with people who don't speak English as a first language?
Module 5 covers inclusive communication including not making assumptions about language ability, adapting your communication pace, using clear, jargon-free language, and knowing when to suggest additional support.
Stay Nimble platform is currently English-language only, but the conversation skills work regardless of language. Ask.Nim can respond in any language based on the language used to start a conversation.
You'll learn when to connect people to specialist support (like ESOL services) alongside career support.
Will I have to deal with mental health crises?
No, that's not your role. Module 4 teaches you to recognise when situations need emergency escalation (domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, child protection), but you don't handle them yourself.
You'll learn how to recognise the signs, who to contact immediately (your Safeguarding Lead), what to say in the moment, and how to get the person to specialist help. Your job is to notice and escalate, not to solve.
Career Allies are never left alone with crisis situations.
What if someone asks me a question I don't know the answer to?
This is normal and expected! You have several options:
"I don't know, but let's find out together" - use Ask.Nim or platform resources;
"That's outside my area - let me connect you to someone who can help" - refer to qualified coach; or
"Good question - let me find that information and get back to you" - research and follow up.
The 4-question model works even when you don't know specific answers. You're helping them think, not being their information source.
After Training
What happens after I complete the training?
Immediately: all 6 digital badges issued to your Navigatr account, access to all reference materials (downloadable PDFs), invitation to private Career Ally peer community, and platform access for demonstrating to residents.
Ongoing: monthly learning circle invitations (attend 4/year minimum), annual refresher training (1 hour), and updates on platform features and resources.
In your role: start using skills with residents, practice 4-question model in conversations, demonstrate digital tools, make referrals when appropriate, and build confidence through real practice.
Do I have to attend the monthly learning circles?
You need to attend 4 per year (quarterly) to maintain your active Career Ally credential and keep your badges valid.
What happens in learning circles: share experiences and challenges (anonymised), problem-solve tricky situations together, learn from each other's successes, skill development sessions with qualified coaches, and guest speakers on relevant topics. 60 minutes, online via Google Meet.
Most Career Allies find them valuable rather than burdensome. It's peer support from people doing the same work.
What if my organisation stops partnering with Stay Nimble?
Your credential and badges remain yours. They don't disappear. However, your annual renewal may require payment. Your training and skills remain valuable even if organisational access changes. The conversation model works anywhere.
Can I use these skills in other jobs?
Absolutely. The skills you learn are transferable. Career conversations work in any role involving recruitment and HR, career services (universities, colleges), employment support programmes, volunteer coordination, and youth work and mentoring.
Digital badge credentials demonstrate commitment to professional development, communication and listening skills, understanding of career support principles, technology proficiency, and ethical practice.
Many Career Allies use this training as a stepping stone to career development roles or professional qualification (CDI Level 4 Certificate).
Everything Else
How long is the credential valid?
12 months from issue date. To renew for another year, attend 4 learning circles (quarterly attendance), complete 1-hour annual refresher training, confirm you're still practicing in a community career support role, and submit renewal through Stay Nimble platform.
Renewal is currently at no charge for active Career Allies.
What happens if I don't renew?
Your badges remain in your Navigatr portfolio with the original issue date, but the status changes from "Active" to "Expired", badge description notes credential is no longer current, you lose access to learning circles and coaching support.
You can re-activate by completing renewal requirements, even after a gap.
Will this help me get a job in career guidance?
It's a strong foundation. This micro-credential shows you have genuine interest in career development work, CPD-certified training completed, understanding of professional frameworks, and commitment to ongoing development.
For professional career roles, most require CDI Level 4 Certificate or higher. Career Ally training can be a stepping stone and demonstrates foundational knowledge, proves you can work in this field, provides experience to reference in applications, and Stay Nimble can guide on pathways to professional qualification.
For community/support roles, this credential makes you competitive for roles in library career services, housing association employment support, community development, volunteer coordination, and employment programme delivery.
What equipment do I need?
For self-paced modules, computer, tablet, or smartphone, internet connection, and headphones recommended for video/audio content.
For the live practice session, a computer with a webcam and microphone (preferred) OR tablet/smartphone with stable internet, and quiet space for 60 minutes.
No special software needed. Everything runs in your web browser.
Can I complete the training on my phone?
Yes, but computer or tablet is better. Self-paced modules work fine on phones, interactive activities are easier on larger screens, and the live practice session needs video. A phone camera will work, but a computer is more comfortable.
Is the content accessible for people with disabilities?
We're working to make all content fully accessible.
Currently available: video captions/subtitles on all videos, keyboard navigation support, and screen reader compatibility (most content).
If you need adjustments, contact us before starting at info@staynimble.co.uk. Alternative formats can be made available for most content.
Does this meet our organisation's CPD requirements?
The Career Ally programme is CPD-certified for 4 hours of professional development. This typically counts toward annual professional development requirements, performance review learning objectives, team training targets, and grant-funded training commitments.
Check with your HR/Learning & Development team about your specific requirements.
Can we adapt the training for our organisation?
The core content is standardised to maintain quality and CPD certification. However, we can include your organisation's examples in live sessions, connect to your specific referral pathways, link with your existing career support services, and provide organisation-specific resource guides.
For customisation, contact Stay Nimble partnerships team at info@staynimble.co.uk
Still have questions?
Email: info@staynimble.co.uk
Response time: Within 2 working days
Join the growing network of Career Allies raising the standard of career support in communities across the UK.
