SKILLS FOR EMPLOYABILITY

UAE ADVISORY FORUM

Marlena Topple

IntroductionOverview of my presentation:• About Prospects• What is careers advice and guidance and

careers education?• Benefits of having a careers guidance • UK system for careers advice and guidance• Challenges• Questions

Prospects• Largest private provider of careers services in

England under contract to British Government• Employee owned with 1400 staff in 70 locations• Diverse range of services including careers and

workforce development with young people and adults, school improvement, school inspection, events management

• Work throughout the UK with growing profile internationally

Career choice• Our choices about our career and working life are

amongst the most important decisions we will make in our lives

• Bad choices lead to a waste of human talent, human capital and resources – but this is avoidable

• Choosing a career that matches the interest, skills and values of a person, significantly increases the chances for success and personal happiness

• Individual needs high quality unbiased information, and possibly advice and guidance to make informed choices and good decisions

5

career planning cycleApproach

Conscious and effective process for decision making

Motivation Ready and able to face

change

Self awarenessAware of own wants, needs, abilities etc

Opportunity awarenessAware of the valid options,

what they involve and require

DecideSelect best option

Implement decisionAccess opportunities: apply, manage selection etc.

Manage outcomesCope with success or ‘failure’

Evaluate processReflect on learning

Copyright© L Hambly 2006

Pre-motivation: not realising there’s a change or decision to be faced

What is careers guidance?• There are many terms meaning the same things

e.g. vocational guidance, professional orientation, careers counselling

• Careers guidance comprises a range of services • It assists individuals to identify their aptitudes,

competencies and interests, to make educational, training and occupational choices throughout their working life

• Careers guidance can be delivered in schools, VET, universities, for unemployed and employed adults

What is careers guidance?

• Tends to focus on specific questions, issues or decisions

• Can be provided at any time but it is particularly relevant at key transition points

• Is usually provided by trained and qualified Careers Advisers

• Can be provided by teachers, family, community leaders, employers and friends

• Is free from bias and promotes self determination and equality of access

How is careers guidance delivered?

• Individual or group basis; may be face-to-face or at a distance (e.g. phone and web-based services).

• Include the provision of career information, assessment and self-assessment tools, individual career guidance interviews, seminars and group sessions, career education programs and work experience programs.

What is careers education?• Part of the curriculum at school, VET or university• A programme that teaches young people the skills,

knowledge and understanding to manage their career and make good career decisions

• Decision making; Opportunity awareness; Transition management; Self awareness (DOTS)

• Usually taught by teachers, but often with input from others – employers, careers advisers etc

• Dynamic programme that includes special events – industry days, careers conventions, & suspended time table days

Why is careers education important?

• Complex range of learning opportunities• To develop transition skills to cope with the changing

world of work• Increases self esteem and confidence• Challenges stereotypes• Adds relevance to learning and motivates• Raises achievement and maximises student potential• Prevents ‘dropping out’

Benefits of careers education and guidance

• Enables individuals to manage and plan their learning and work pathways to fit with their life goals, strengths and interests

• Assists education and training institutions to have well motivated pupils, students and trainees

• Assists companies and employers to have well motivated, employable and adaptable staff, contributing to the success of their business

Benefits of careers education and guidance

• Provides policymakers with an important means to achieve a wide range of public policy goals

• Supports local, regional, national and global economies through workforce development and adaptation to changing economic demands and social circumstances

• Assist in the development of societies in which citizens actively contribute to their social, democratic and sustainable development.

How does careers education and guidance contribute to

government policy goals?

• Economic development• Labour market efficiency • Efficient investment in education and training• Lifelong learning• Social inclusion• Social equity

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

The UK Careers Guidance System • This differs in England, Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland• National policy changed following the election

of a new government in May 2010• Responsibility split across different ministries:

Department of Education, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

National Careers Service• New services launched in April 2012 for

people aged 13 and over• National coverage, free, independent and

high quality careers and skills advice services • Emphasis on phone and on-line rather than

face to face• Access via

nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk or by calling 0800 100 900. There is also access to face-to-face careers advice in the community for people aged over 19

• Provided at any stage (not just unemployed)

Careers advice and guidance for young people

• Aged 13 plus can access the NCS• From September 2012 schools and

colleges are required to provide careers guidance

• Universities fund and deliver services to graduates

• Local councils will fund work for unemployed young people

• New service quality standard, workforce professional standards and code of ethics

Ethics, professionalism and quality

• Code of professional ethics

• Professionalism based on:oAccredited qualificationsoStandardsoQuality Assurance

Ethical practice• Impartiality• Confidentiality• Individual Ownership• Equality of Opportunity• Transparency• Accessibility

Nationally recognised qualifications

Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG)

Level 6 Diploma in Careers Guidance and Development

Masters Diploma in Careers Guidance (Scotland)

NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

• National Occupational Standards set out measurable performance outcomes to which an individual is expected to work in a given occupation.

• Developed by employers represented by Sector Skills Councils across the UK, NOS set out the skills, knowledge and understanding required to perform competently in the workplace

• Majority of Vocational Qualifications are based on or related to National Occupational Standards.

NOS FOR CAREERS PROFESSIONALS

Developed by Lifelong Learning UK• The new NOS will cover anyone in the UK lifelong

learning sector providing information, advice and guidance, including:

Advisors in dedicated career guidance organisations

Advisors in guidance services within sector organisations, such as university or college careers services

Tutors, coaches, mentors and others who offer educational information, career, or employability related advice and guidance as part of their role.

1. Build and apply understanding of theory and effective practice in career development

2. Reflect on, develop and maintain own skills and practice in career development

3. Develop and apply ethical practice in your career development role

4. Build and maintain relationships with individuals to ensure a client centred approach

5. Work with individuals to explore and identify their needs and aspirations

6. Enable individuals to set realistic goals and career development objectives

7. Deliver individual and group development through career-related learning

8. Enable individuals to use and apply information for career development

9. Provide ongoing support to help individuals achieve their goals and development objectives

10.Help individuals evaluate their progress and achievement and plan for the future

11. Improve services to individuals by collaborating with others

12.Enable individuals to access referral opportunities

13.Represent individuals’ needs to others

14.Promote the availability, value and effectiveness of the service on offer

15.Monitor, evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the service on offer

16.Plan and undertake research on behalf of the service.

Quality Assurance•Matrix Standard•Ofsted Inspection•Observation of practice •Customer feedback•By benchmarking to other similar

providers•Performance Indicators and Impact

measures

Challenges• Top down and bottom up• Shared understanding of what careers guidance

is and the benefits• Evidence based practice and of impact• Generation gap• Involvement of employers• Involvement of parents and other stakeholders• Start early and embed in learning and

development throughout education and work