The value of a careers qualification

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By Maria Cox

I have been working in the Adult Community and Further Education sector (Victoria’s Learn Local) for about three years, delivering pathway programs to vulnerable learners in Melbourne’s west.

A scholarship to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Career Development) provided a critical new dimension to the way I approached teaching pathway programs in this sector.

Maria-CoxWith the careers qualification, I could better meet the learning needs of young adult learners who have

various barriers to finding work and career planning. Jim Bright’s sessions were insightful in building awareness of the chaotic nature of career — which was readily apparent in the lives of my learners. Norm Amundson’s Active Engagement, one of my study texts, became my go-to book for ideas. Many of his observations and engagement strategies have helped create a supportive learning environment and positive engagement in the career planning process.

One of the key messages I took from the book was the need to avoid developing career plans with young people unless self-confidence was also addressed. Young learners who I have taught will ‘go through the motions’ and not commit to their career action steps unless they feel okay about the chaotic nature of their career path to date and forget the notion that careers must be linear and upward moving. A pathways program must focus on the ways in which the young learner can feel confident about themselves. Creating a ‘mattering climate’ where the student is welcome and the focal point of learning is an important aspect of community learning. Innovation and flexibility are also required. Through my studies I came across many creative strategies — collages and imagery, YouTube videos, brainstorming, online quizzes, role-play and many more.

It also helps to have allies in the classroom. The staff I work with deliver the workplace learning program. They advocate with existing or new employers to take on one of our Learn Local students for work experience. Having other adults actively involved builds the mattering climate and allows the young person to feel confident because others believe in them.

Having the opportunity to study career development theory and counselling skills has provided me with a rich resource of teaching ideas and approaches. Creating a mattering climate that acknowledges the chaotic lives of youth, being genuine and having faith in the learner has led to successful outcomes for a number of Learn Local students.