A Career Service for the Future ...

Our last class of PP2 really helped to 'tie up' the loose ends and to review earlier sessions in a comprehensive way. It finally all started to make sense! I enjoyed the group work and sharing our ideas with each other - the makings of reflective practitioners. And it was good to see that we were on the same wavelength. My vision for a career service would one that definitely takes a holistic approach. One where there was time to discuss, and time to reflect - no targets to be met. Career education would start in primary schools, with the career adviser linked to the primary school and the secondary school in a given area. As pupils moved through the school, the focus would move from general ideas and information about jobs to focussing more on things like interview techniques, application forms etc. But the whole process would be gradual, and part of the school curriculum so that pupils were knowledgeable and self-aware about their decisions. Group work would concentrate on life-skills - confidence, self-esteem, motivation. I really liked the idea of a mobile bus - imagine the possibilities. These wouldn't be rickety old buses, but state of the art buses with high tech facilities. They would visit remote schools, small towns and villages and be the adviser would be approachable, friendly - and knowledgeable about the area. (In schools I've seen so many unfriendly librarians!) What about podcasts where plumbers, joiners, doctors - you name it, we would have it - would talk about their jobs and how to get into that area of work. They would also visit schools to give talks - bringing the world of work closer to our young people, and making it real and relevant. There would be regular meetings of advisers to share their experiences and to discuss developments in techniques. We would be open-minded individuals, who were not afraid to try something new. The construction of a community high schools is taking place right now where I live, and it would be great to see an area devoted to careers right at the heart of the school - no wee room somewhere at the back of beyond with no internet access! Pupils and local residents could use the facilities - and know that they could come back again, and again if it was needed. There would be strong links with local companies, and advisers would have a sound knowledge of the community they were working with. This is my idea of an 'ideal' career service - I'm sure there is so much more to add, but it's a start...maybe one day soon some of it might happen.