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ABOUT COMPLETE-CAREERS

Empowering people to make successful transitions
and achieve their career potential.

Complete-Careers brings together dedicated Level 6 and 7 trained careers professionals with more than 100 years of combined knowledge, experience and expertise in careers education and guidance for young people and adults.

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OUR MISSION

We constantly innovate to empower people to make successful transitions and achieve their full potential.

More About Us

OUR VALUES

The principles that shape how we work

01

Collaboration

02

Diversity

03

Empowerment

04

Environmental

05

Professional Integrity

06

Social Mobility

07

Transparency

Explore Our Values

OUR PARTNERS

Meet the people leading Complete Careers

John Ambrose

Jenny Beaumont

Meet the Whole Team

NEED CAREERS SUPPORT?

Talk to our careers experts

Whether you are an education provider, organisation or individual, our team can help you find the right support.

 

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QUALITY IN CAREERS STANDARD

Career Mark

Complete Careers is a Licensed Awarding Body for the Quality in Careers Standard through its unique Career Mark approach. For 30 years, Career Mark has had an excellent reputation in supporting learning providers to quality assure and develop their careers programme.

(We also have a Career Mark Primary Award dedicated to supporting, developing and accrediting primary schools to deliver a high quality careers program to their pupils.)

The quality in careers standard logo
Explore Career Mark

READY TO GET STARTED?

Sign up for Career Mark

To get started with the Career Mark, register for an account with us. You will then have access to the members area of the website and the Career Mark Courses.

Sign Up

Our Services

Continuous Professional Development

Both accredited (levels 4 and 6) and non-accredited bespoke training delivery on all matters careers, employability and workforce development

Career Leader Training Level 6 Career Development Apprenticeship Conferences Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice Bespoke Accredited & Non-Accredited Training Employer & Organisational Workforce Development

Our Services

Quality Assurance

 Direct delivery for clients of all ages to empower them to reach their career potential.

Guidance in Education Individual Guidance Guidance Professional Forums Employer Support Community Contracts

Our Services

Continuous Professional Development

Facilitating organisational continuous improvement through our long-term quality association with quality award recognition and the Quality in Careers Standard for schools and colleges.”

Specialist Consultancy Quality in Careers Standard / Career Mark Career Mark International Career Mark Primary Award & Certificate

NEED CAREERS SUPPORT?

Talk to our careers experts

Whether you are an education provider, organisation or individual, our team can help you find the right support.

 

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LEARNER SUPPORT

Resources

Practical resources, tools and guidance designed to support learners and career professionals.

Complete-Careers Profiling Tool › Practitioner Resources › Complete Careers Community › The Bonkers Book of Jobs › Blogs and Articles ›
Find your Fit
Career Professionals Guide to Unlocking Client’s Self Awareness › Fulfilling Futures › What Next at 16 ›

NEED CAREERS SUPPORT?

Talk to our careers experts

Whether you are an education provider, organisation or individual, our team can help you find the right support.

 

Get in Touch →

Quality in careers standard

Career Mark

Complete Careers is a Licensed Awarding Body for the Quality in Careers Standard through its unique Career Mark approach. For 30 years, Career Mark has had an excellent reputation in supporting learning providers to quality assure and develop their careers programme.

Complete Careers is a
Licensed Awarding Body for

The quality in careers standard logo

About Career Mark

A trusted approach to quality assurance

Complete Careers is a Licensed Awarding Body for the Quality in Careers Standard through its unique Career Mark approach.

For 30 years, Career Mark has had an excellent reputation in supporting learning providers to quality assure and develop their careers programme.

Our Description Grids are fully and explicitly mapped to the Gatsby Benchmarks and the themes of the Careers Impact System. During assessment, we also use the CDI learning outcomes to measure how effectively learners are developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become effective career planners.

01

A framework for outstanding CEIAG

02

Recognises your commitment to learners’ futures

03

Raises motivation, attainment and aspiration

04

Supports preparation for Ofsted

05

Encourages employer engagement

Career Mark pathways

Which Career Mark is right for you?

Career Mark supports careers provision from primary education through to secondary and post-16 settings.

Secondary & Post-16

The Career Mark assessment process uses five components to assess the Quality in Careers Standard.

The approach is fully aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks, supports compliance with statutory guidance and provides evidence for Ofsted.

Management Planning, managing and integrating CEIAG.
Careers Learning Developing learners’ knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes.
Information Accessing, researching and evaluating careers information.
Advice, Guidance & Support The effectiveness of your integrated programme of support.
Learner Outcomes How well learners are developing as effective career planners.

Career Mark Primary Award

Career Mark Primary Award is dedicated to supporting, developing and accrediting primary schools to deliver a high quality careers programme to their pupils.

Primary careers work can raise aspirations, break down stereotypes and improve transitions.

Impact Measuring the impact of career-related learning on pupil development.
Management Leading, planning, managing and delivering career-related learning.
Curriculum The content and variety of the career-related learning curriculum.
Staff Training Ensuring staff have the knowledge and skills to support delivery.
Pupil Outcomes Evaluating pupils’ learning from the career-related curriculum.

Career Mark Primary Certificate

The Career Mark Primary Certificate recognises a school’s initial commitment to career-related learning and can provide a route towards the full Career Mark Primary Award.

Schools provide evidence against ten criteria before taking part in a two-hour online career conversation with staff and learners.

Named career contact
Career-related learning outcomes
Career event or events
Inspirational career speakers
Everywhere is a workplace
Subject links to careers and skills
Parents and carers informed
Routes and pathways
Local employment opportunities
Careers information on the school website
Looking for Career Mark outside the UK? Career Mark International is available as a separate quality assurance service.
Career Mark International →

The process

How Career Mark works

Career Mark gives you a clear framework to review, develop and demonstrate the quality and impact of your careers provision, with support available throughout the accreditation process.

01

Self-assess your provision

Use the self-assessment tool to understand how prepared you are and identify any areas you may want to develop.

02

Sign up for Career Mark

Registration gives you access to the Members Area, Career Mark courses and the documents you need to work towards accreditation.

03

Prepare your submission

Complete the Description Grids and bring together evidence of your careers provision while using the framework to support ongoing development.

04

Portfolio assessment

Your Description Grids and supporting evidence are reviewed against the relevant Career Mark standards.

05

Online assessment day

The careers team is involved at the beginning and end of the day, while the majority of the assessment focuses on learners and the impact of your CEIAG provision.

06

Award and development

Successful settings receive their award and feedback, including recommendations that can support the continued development of careers provision.

First assessment Up to two years

You have two years from signing up to move towards your first assessment, although some settings complete the process sooner.

Third assessment Career Mark Gold

Gold recognises continued commitment to accreditation and is awarded on your third assessment with Complete Careers.

Sixth assessment Career Mark Platinum

Platinum is awarded on your sixth assessment, recognising long-term commitment to Career Mark.

Support throughout

You are not working towards the standard alone

The Members Area includes online courses covering getting started, developing your submission, choosing evidence and managing your assessment day. You can also contact the Career Mark Manager throughout the process.

01

Understand where you are now

Use the self-assessment tool to rate your current provision against the standard and identify areas that may need development.

02

Develop as you work

Career Mark is not looking for perfection. Recommendations are part of the process and can help you strengthen your careers provision over time.

03

Access guidance when you need it

Career Mark courses and direct contact with the Career Mark Manager provide practical support throughout accreditation.

Career Mark costs

Accreditation costs

Current charges for the three Career Mark routes.

Secondary & Post-16

£1,400
+ VAT — first assessment
Typically 50% at registration and the remaining 50% when assessment is requested.
Reaccreditation: £1,020 + VAT
Award valid for two years.

Primary Award

£892.50
+ VAT — first assessment
50% at registration and the remaining 50% when assessment is requested.
Reaccreditation: £892.50 + VAT
Group discounts may be available for schools working towards accreditation together.

Primary Certificate

£395
+ VAT
50% at sign-up and 50% on submission of evidence.
Includes the online career conversation and written feedback.
Receive an additional 10% off the Primary Award if achieved within two years.

Frequently asked questions

Career Mark FAQs

How does the Quality in Careers Standard fit with the Gatsby Benchmarks and Careers Impact System?

Our Description Grids are fully and explicitly mapped to the Gatsby Benchmarks and the themes of the Careers Impact System.

On assessment day, questions and impact measures are also structured with the CDI learning outcomes in mind, measuring how effectively learners are developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become effective career planners.

Will I get support with my accreditation?

Yes. The Members Area includes online courses covering getting started, developing your submission, selecting evidence and managing assessment day. You can also contact the Career Mark Manager at any point during the process.

How do I know if my provision is good enough?

You can use the self-assessment tool to rate your provision against the standard and identify areas you may need to develop.

Career Mark is not looking for perfection. Schools and colleges will have areas for development, and these can form part of the recommendations arising from accreditation.

How long do I have to work towards the award?

From the time you sign up, you have two years to move towards your first assessment. Some schools and colleges complete the process significantly faster.

Completing the Description Grids and gathering evidence may take around two to three days of work, although many careers leaders spread this over a longer period.

How do I get Career Mark Gold or Platinum?

Career Mark Gold is awarded on your third assessment with Complete Careers, while Career Mark Platinum is awarded on your sixth assessment.

What does the assessment day look like?

Assessments are carried out online. The careers team is involved at the start and end of the day, while the majority of the assessment is focused on learners.

How do I get started?

Select “Sign up” and register with Complete Careers. You will then receive access to the Members Area and Career Mark courses.

I already hold the Quality in Careers Standard. Can I move to Complete Careers?

Yes. If your current award is still in date, you can reaccredit through Complete Careers using the Career Mark approach.

If your award has expired, you would begin with a first assessment. Contact admin@complete-careers.com to discuss your circumstances.

How much does accreditation cost?

Secondary and Post-16 first assessment costs £1,400 + VAT. Typically half is paid at sign-up and the remaining half when assessment is requested. Reaccreditation costs £1,020 + VAT.

Can I speak to someone about the assessment process?

Yes. Email admin@complete-careers.com to arrange a Teams meeting with the Career Mark Manager and discuss the accreditation process.

Start your Career Mark journey

Ready to work towards Career Mark?

Register to begin working towards accreditation, or speak to the Career Mark Manager if you would like to discuss the process first.

Sign up for Career Mark Speak to the Career Mark Manager

We have launched our new Career Mark Members Area. If you are a member and have not already done so, please click this link to re-set your password and gain access.