Career guidance: the missing link in school to work transitions

The transition from education to further study or employment is a crucial point in time for young people. While this transition period gives young people the opportunity to consolidate skills, develop a sense of job-readiness and make decisions about their lives and career paths, it has become increasingly difficult for young people to gain employment after leaving education and training. Factors such as the reduction of entry-level job opportunities, job automation, the casualisation of the workforce as well as disengagement from education have caused the length of the transition period for young people to increase.

This paper argues that effective career guidance in high schools can improve the transition from education to employment for young people, especially for those experiencing disadvantage. Benefits include increased engagement with education, improved employment prospects and an increase in social capital and wellbeing. Studies show that if young people can recall four structured career activities across their school life, they are five times less likely to be unemployed or disengaged from education or training. Despite this, approximately 50 per cent of schools in Australia (with populations of over a 1000 students) dedicate less than $3 per student for career guidance. While it is acknowledged that youth unemployment is a complex issue with no single solution, this paper highlights career guidance as an essential component to improving employment outcomes for New South Wales high school students.

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