Moving into the COVID recovery period, ways of working are changing which will require adjustments to current approaches to career development service provision. Transurban CEO Scott Charlton has warned that employers will lose talented staff if they refuse to maintain some flexible working conditions after the pandemic passes[1]. The way in which we manage employees and their transitions is changing rapidly.
As a result, several countries are investing heavily in providing better access to career development for all ages to stimulate skills acquisition and facilitating positive transitions.
Australia
- Career guidance is strengthening and signs of innovation are emerging. The NCI recently funded several partnership grants – see https://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/national-careers-institute-partnership-grants/grant-recipients . It is pleasing to see the funding of an indigenous career program and a project that uses gaming technology. Hopefully, some of the projects are scalable and funded sufficiently to embed programs over time.
- National Careers Week (17-23 May 2021) – aims to celebrate careers, career development, career development services, and career development practitioners.
- Careers and employability relationships; is a theme being explored by Michael Healy. see https://campusmorningmail.com.au/news/careers-and-employability-learning-we-need-a-more-integrated-pedagogy/?utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website
- JobTrainer – offers training to people aged 17-24 or out of work, and providing support for businesses to retain their apprentices and trainees.
Canada
- Canadian banks are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in assisting Canadians to thrive in a changing labour market.
- The Future Skills Centre is now in its second year (https://fsc-ccf.ca/) and is funding innovative skill development.
- Bold changes are being made to Canadian Standards for Career Development Practitioners including stronger links to ISO, an increasing focus on metrics and measurement of outcomes to gain greater clarity about impact.
South Korea
- In the context of the pandemic, the South Korean Ministry of Education is funding the development of a national blended learning career education project.
- The level of academic achievement is causing significant levels of stress amongst young people and youth unemployment rate is at historically high levels. Career Services are being expanded to support young people.
Finland
- There is a strong focus on upskilling in Finland.
- Finland is developing a career strategy as part of the reform of the education system. The overarching aim is continuous education and upskilling. The task is to create a digital ecosystem of continuous learning.
- A national framework of career management skills is also being established
- School authorities are now required to follow up on all young people at risk of becoming NEET.
England
- 325 Job Search Advisers contracted to New Job Finding Support Service; More than 150,000 jobseekers across Great Britain will benefit from new employment support, helping them build their interview skills, find local vacancies and quickly get back into work. Service to run in parallel to existing support available in jobcentres. Job Search Advisers are available online or by phone, to support those recently unemployed who already have the skills and experience needed to move into a new career.
- A new CDI Career Development Framework: https://www.thecdi.net/write/CDI-Framework-Jan2020-web.pdf will extend its reach into post-compulsory education, employment services and other places where individual’s are building their careers.
Wales
- Careers Wales’ new five-year vision and careers strategy will be launched in March 2021.
- Wales has decided not to roll-out the Gatsby Benchmarks because of some concerns that this has resulted in a ‘tick box’ exercise in England. The Minister favours a quality-assurance approach and has commissioned a new quality standard for careers provision. Work will commence in March 2021.
Scotland
- SDS is currently exploring a chat facility as part of a new Adult version of My World of Work – https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/
Northern Ireland
- The OECD Skills Strategy (Northern Ireland) June 2020 is currently driving policies and practices – http://www.oecd.org/publications/oecd-skills-strategy-northern-ireland-united-kingdom-1857c8af-en.htm
- Work has also been commissioned on a ‘Future Technology & Hi-Technology Skills & Workforce for Northern Ireland 2020-35’ scenario building programme.
New Zealand
- The Career Development Association of NZ (CDANZ) is updating and strengthening entry levels and pathways for CDANZ membership.
- TEC has extended the career guidance service contract. : https://www.tec.govt.nz/news-and-consultations/new-free-career-advice-service-available-nationwide/
- Return of international students has been agreed, starting in April 2021
OECD CAREER GUIDANCE FOR ADULTS presentation January 2021
- 4 in 10 adults surveyed spoke to a career development adviser in the last 5 years
- 30% of those surveyed used career guidance more than usual in the pandemic
- Remote services have been strengthened
- More focus on online guidance portals is occurring
- Availability of career guidance is expanding
- Noted that there is more work to be done to improve the outcomes for career guidance by
- Increasing funding
- Improving service coordination
- Incentivising employers and adults
For more information on this update email: peter@tatham.com.au
[1] https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/transurban-boss-says-workers-will-leave-companies-without-flexible-hours-20210211-p571lc.html?utm_content=TOP_STORIES&list_name=2033_age_busnews_am&promote_channel=edmail&utm_campaign=business-am&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=2021-02-12&mbnr=MTAwNzE2NjI&instance=2021-02-12-07-35-AEDT&jobid=29290251