The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the range of careers development services available to and utilized by young people, up to 24 years, at the transition point of post-compulsory schooling and in the early years of their careers, with a particular focus on outcomes relating to VET. It will evaluate the effectiveness of these services a) in relation to a career development model; b) from the viewpoint of these young people and key influencers, especially parents; c) from a comparison of data relating to careers advice and destinations, where this is available.
1. What are the range, distribution and characteristics of career development services (agencies) available to young people?
2. Who accesses these services? Who does not appear to access these services?
3. What information is provided to young people and how is this done?
4. What is the impact of other 'key influencers' on the ways and means by which career development services operate?
Assessing the effectiveness of career development services
5. What have been the experiences of young people accessing career development services who have had some experience of VET? How do they view the effectiveness of these services in terms of the information provided in relation to post school education and transitions, participation in VET and career decision making?
6. How do those involved in the provision of career development services view the effectiveness of their services in terms of the information provided to young people (and other connected with them) in relation to post school education and transitions, participation in VET and career decision making?
7. How do other key stakeholders (parents, teachers, policy makers) view the effectiveness of career development services in terms of the information provided to young people in relation to post school education and transitions, participation in VET and career decision making? (Please note: data from parents may be obtained from interviews conducted for the Learning Pathways study. Other stakeholder views will be canvassed during the scoping study - see page 5 for further details)
Recommendations for future development in terms of career development services for providers, policy makers and other interested stakeholders
8. How can career development services be improved to better meet the needs of young people?
9. How can career development services improve the quality of information available to wider audiences in relation to career development services with particular reference to VET options and pathways?
The Centre for Research in Education, Equity and Work (CREEW) at the University of South Australia is a recognised and funded research centre within the University of South Australia. CREEW has excellent infrastructure support and its business development systems have been accredited to ISO9001 standard. Its website at: http://www.unisa.edu.au/creew/index.htm lists previous projects undertaken which provide the grounding for this study based on the established networks and successful record in VET research developed by CREEW over time.
The Centre Undertaking Research in Vocational Education (CURVE) was established at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) in 1999. Its establishment demonstrates the Institute's commitment to the conduct and use of VET research. The CURVE team, in addition to having well-developed research skills, have direct teaching experience in VET and a thorough understanding of the influences and issues impacting upon the sector. CURVE research focuses on VET delivery, with special emphasis on practice and practitioners. Key areas of research have included client satisfaction, generic skills, assessment, recognition, teaching and learning, flexible delivery, quality, partnerships, training packages, the VET professional and knowledge transfer. CURVE researchers, often in collaboration with others, have successfully obtained funding from NREC, ANTA, DEST and the ACT Government.
