Careers Education
The two-year Designing Careers Pilot in 75 secondary schools finished in June 2006. It has provided opportunities for schools to trial a variety of strategies, develop knowledge and understanding, and find practical and sustainable ways to improve Career Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG), such as the adaptation and integration of Learning Career Plans into the curriculum. The Education Review Office's evaluation of the programme will be made available to all schools so that best practice can be shared nationally.
To continue with progress made during the Pilot, ongoing professional support and resources are available from Career Services. This includes advice and assistance to teachers, career advisers and management in state secondary and intermediate schools to support the development and implementation of career education programmes and policies. A list of Career Services' products and services (Career Education Resource catalogue), and online resources can be downloaded from the Career Services website.
A new Careers Education initiative, based on the learnings from the Designing Careers Pilot, will be implemented in 100 new secondary schools during 2007 and 2008. Within each school, a Career Services consultant and School Support Services adviser will team up with the careers staff, senior management and other relevant staff, to develop an effective Career Education Plan for the whole school. The initiative's aims are to foster a whole-school approach to Career Information, Advice and Guidance, help schools integrate Careers Education into the curriculum, and implement sustainable strategies that meet the needs of every student. Schools will then be in a position to meet the National Administration Guidelines requirement in this area, the provision of Careers Education for Years 7 and above, with special emphasis on those students at risk of not making a successful transitions to further study or employment.