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How can we implement a career education program in our school?

Schools are expected to provide an increasing number and range of learning experiences for their students. Adding career education to the list may be seen as "another thing we have to do" or "not my responsibility".

Consequently, the introduction of a comprehensive career education program in a school needs to be carefully planned.

Schools that have successfully implemented a career education program have found certain strategies particularly effective. These strategies are listed in Steps to implementing a career education program.

Steps to implementing a career education program

Schools that have successfully implemented a comprehensive career education program have found the following steps useful.

Form a working party from the school community. In the first instance, it is best to ask for volunteers. However, it is important to include representatives from the major stakeholder groups, e.g. teachers, administrators, students, and parents as well as the guidance officer. If available, the coordinators of vocational education and training (VET), the Jobs Pathway Program (JPP), Career and Transition program (CAT), and/or Local community partnerships would be useful members on the working party. Inviting a local employer might also be appropriate.

Develop a rationale for the program based on student needs, the school's goals, and the expectations of the system (e.g. Education and Training Reforms for the Future).

Begin to promote the program to the school community.

Select a coordinator for the program.

Select a student outcomes framework, e.g. the Australian Blueprint for Career Development .

Map the career learning that is already occurring in the school against the selected student outcomes framework. Many of the student outcomes required in career education are already being taught in the key learning areas or through standalone programs. For example, the 'Enhancing personal development' strand in the Years 1 - 10 Health and physical education syllabus contains core-learning outcomes relevant to career education (self-awareness, communication, change, etc).

Identify the gaps and overlaps in what is currently being delivered.

Develop the career education program to ensure that all students have an opportunity to meet the student outcomes of the selected framework.

Conduct teacher inservice to inform and to reassure. Teachers participating in the delivery of the career education program need some background in career development and a thorough understanding of the objectives of the school's career education program.

Conduct a public relations campaign to ensure students, parents and the general community are aware of the school's career education program and of its objectives. This is also an excellent way of promoting the school. The Australian Blueprint for Career Development has several suggestions for promoting career education programs.

Set up monitoring, review and evaluation processes. The Career education quality framework (new window) is a useful document to use to evaluate the school's career education program. Both the P - 12 career and work preparation outcomes framework and the Australian Blueprint for Career Development contain ideas for evaluating career education programs.

An example implementation plan for a school career development strategy (new window) 29k

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