Teach Kids About Forging a Career

Urgent reforms to career education in schools are needed to help prevent future skills shortages like the one we are suffering through now.

New research from the University of Western Australia has found 25 per cent of 15-year-olds don’t believe school prepares them for their future.

The Australian national curriculum does not require delivery of career education so there are no national standards, curriculua, or benchmarks.

Australia is experiencing the second-worst skills shortage of the OECD nations with the Centre for Career Education (ACCE) saying the current crisis highlights the need to set younger Australians up for success in the workforce.

“Skilled migration plays a vital role in Australia’s prosperity and success, but we need to do more to ensure our younger generations have the skills and career education they need to be the industry leaders and workers of the future,” ACCE CEO Bernadette Gigliotti said.

“Our education systems haven’t been supported to embed career education as a subject – and we know from research around the world how crucial preparation in school is for success in any chosen career.

“Put simply: career education is the missing piece in the jobs and skills debate.”

“Skills training must be linked to the reality of work that students will experience today, and tomorrow. We need to set them up for success with the skills to make informed choices after they leave the school gate. We’re currently missing a main piece – career education,” Ms Gigliotti added.

“Career education supports young people to engage in their education. It promotes successful transitions from school to employment, skills training and further education.

“It also provides them with opportunities to work towards higher incomes and allows business and industry to secure the workforces they need, ultimately ensuring Australia’s productivity growth as the population ages,” Ms Gigliotti said.

“As business leaders and worker representatives gather at the Jobs and Skills Summit, the usual issues will be raised, but unleashing the potential of career education in Australian schools will work to ensure we are nurturing homegrown talent in the national interest,” Ms Gigliotti added.

The Australian Centre for Career Education (ACCE) is an association member of the peak industry body, the Career Industry Council of Australia, and a not-for-profit educational charity that supports career development as a lifelong process.

Image by Los Muertos Crew