Career education is core business for 21st Century schools

Career education is core business for 21st Century schools

"Careers" has evolved a long way from what today’s parents will remember as a one-off process of finding a job or a course of study to go to when they left school.

Recent international research has identified a set of career management competencies that provide a framework for career education and guidance programmes from Year 7 onwards. Each competency involves a set of understandings, skills and attitudes required to successfully manage life, learning and work.

The ultimate aim of Career Information, Advice, Education and Guidance (CIAGE) in 21st century schools is to equip students to develop their careers throughout their lives. This is core business for the whole school not just one or two people working on the fringes.

Boards of Trustees have an important role in ensuring that this is reflected in the school's strategic planning and reporting and that funding and resources are allocated to support a 21st-century approach to career management, Boards also have a responsibility to ensure that the school's community, in particular Māori and Pasifika, have opportunities to contribute to career education and guidance strategies that will be meaningful for their young people.

NZSTA has been actively involved in the development of a career education self-review tool for schools, the Career Education Benchmarks. Benchmarks have been developed for primary, secondary and tertiary providers.

An overview of 21st-century career education will be presented to school trustees attending the NZSTA National Conference in Auckland this weekend. Over 900 trustees are registered for the conference, which runs from Friday morning to Sunday lunchtime.

ENDS

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