At my desk

Australian Journal of Career Development, Autumn, 2008 by Peter Tatham

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This column includes some observations from my recent participation at the Fourth International Symposium on Career Development and Public Policy in Scotland, and visits to LearnDirect and Careers Scotland. The outcomes of the Symposium and the latter two major initiatives directly link to policies of the new government here in Australia. Specifically, it is my view that the construction of the Department of Education, Employment, Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion is bringing together several key components that underpin human capital development. This new department is therefore likely to be the central vehicle for the further development of Australia's knowledge economy and an engine room for Australia's economic growth. Effective career services are crucial to achieving the goals of this new department.

Clearly, the previous government did not follow through on several key career issues that would have resulted in Australia being positioned as one of a number of world leaders in career development. As a consequence, progress has stalled and we are now lagging behind our near neighbours like New Zealand as well as much of Europe. This report highlights significant progress and developments being made in other countries that indicate wide gaps in delivery of career services in Australia.

At the regional level, it is clearly a priority to develop an Asia-Pacific career development network as a preparatory approach to more flexible labour market shifts over the next decade and to match other networks that have already been established in other regions around the world.

I cannot overstate the current level of world-wide commitment to career development across countries rich and poor. Of particular interest is the work presently being carried out in Scotland. Research by the Scottish government indicates an economic benefit to Scotland of fives times expenditure on career development services. This figure will not be lost on the French, who in 2008 take on the EU presidency with a declared aim of improving career services for all ages across Europe. Australia needs to at least match the efforts being undertaken by other countries to establish more effective career services to meet the challenges of improving participation, skill development and social inclusion. I think the Rudd government will ultimately be judged by its success in managing the education, employment and social inclusion super-portfolio.

The fourth International Symposium on Career Development and Public Policy

The fourth International Symposium on Career Development and Public Policy was held from 22-25 October 2007, in Aviemore, Scotland. The key theme was Growth, Groups and Geographies: Maximising the value of career development for sustainable growth and social equity. The symposium had five sub-themes:

1. Blending economic and social goals

2. Strategic leadership

3. Harnessing diversity

4. Impact evidence

5. Role of the citizen

Delegates came from Australia, Austria, Bhutan, Botswana, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Maldives, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, USA, Wales as well as several international organisations and associations.

One interesting highlight of the Symposium was the formation of a Mediterranean careers network. Given the countries involved, it is a remarkable achievement. The formation of the network followed on from a comparative analysis of career services and career development in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The analysis was conducted in line with the OECD model.

Hosting the event in the Scottish highlands provided a clear case study of the important role career development can play in blending economic and social objectives. The economic development of the highlands is underpinned by three goals--to grow business, build skills, and strengthen community--and a fourth goal, to build global connections. There are many parts of Australia that could learn from the economic experiment that is underway in the Scottish highlands.

Reflections for Australia

Australia continues to perform well in terms of career program development. However, it is clearly losing ground in the development of all-ages career services, a national research agenda and evidence base, and in the establishment of regional career networks, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. There appears to be seven next steps for career development in Australia if we are to catch up to other leading nations. They are:

* refine and re-brand the diverse national career services under a 'Careers Australia' banner

* strengthen the evidence base through the establishment of well funded structures

* develop an all ages approach to provision of career development services

* establish a national careers helpline to improve access for all ages