There is a range of trained people who can offer learning and career support.  Amongst these are:

• specialist in-house advisers, known under a variety of titles, such as long lifelong learning advisers (LLAs)
• specially trained advisers within HR, learning and development or commissioning departments
• union learning representatives (ULRs), who are specially trained to give "front line support" in unionised workplaces
• specially trained managers, with advisory skills, who can build on the performance development review or appraisal
• learning champions
• managers and staff trained in mentoring or coaching
• the Health Learning and Skills Advice Line, a specialist helpline for the health sector
• nextstep, publicly funded providers of IAG whose main client group is people with less than Level 2 qualification
• advisers from further education and private training providers

Should advisers have qualifications?

Ideally, yes.  At the time of writing the qualification structure is under review.  Broadly speaking though, those who are trained to give advice are at the equivalent of NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance and those who are professionally trained  have a minimum of an equivalent of NVQ Level 4.

• Learn more about Union Learning Representatives and Learning Champions
• Learn more about nextstep
• Learn more about the Health Learning and Skills Advice Line