The government wants to turn career guidance into a regulated profession. CareerBalance backs this initiative. Simon Broomer, CareerBalance’s Managing Director gives his view:
Back in November last year, skills minister John Hayes announced government plans to introduce professional regulation for career guidance, as well as plans for an all-age career service.
CareerBalance is absolutely in favour of moves to raise the standards of career guidance in this country. We also agree that people of all ages should have access to careers guidance – an approach which encourages bringing the non-active population back into work. This should cover school leavers through to adults approaching retirement.
The government appears to be dragging its feet about implementing its plans, with one policy advisor recently claiming the current situation risks a “widespread collapse of careers help for young people”*. Let’s stop talking and let’s start to make it happen.
Here are five suggestions to help John Hayes make the programme work:
1. Currently, anyone can become a career coach. If some people do a bad job, it brings down the industry as a whole. A professional code of ethics and good conduct is now needed. All career professionals need to show evidence of experience in specific occupations or sectors, and an understanding of the individuals and organisations they are trying to help.
2. A minimum level careers qualifications requirement should now be developed for all careers professionals – be they careers counsellors, educators, coaches or advisors.
3. A commitment to regular supervision and continuing professional development and supervision are pre-requisites for independent career professionals.
4. The government needs to ensure that a body is created to police what they are proposing.
*Professor Tony Watts for Careers England
Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director at CareerBlalance Ltd
