Better career education for learners

Quality career education gives a learner the competencies to make sound career decisions and successfully manage their pathways ? while in tertiary study and training, and when they enter the workforce. It links their learning with the opportunities available to them in life and work, including completing their qualifications and becoming productive workers and enterprising citizens.

Careers New Zealand is developing a set of benchmarks for the tertiary sector with expert input from the education and research sectors. The benchmarks will provide clarity around effective practice, and will improve tertiary organisations? focus on career management competencies to assist learners to make successful transitions from tertiary education to work.

What are the benchmarks?

The benchmarks have been specifically developed to lift the quality of career education in New Zealand tertiary education ? from foundation courses through to degree and postgraduate study ? and in industry and workplace training.

They are a self-review tool to help senior managers, educators and career professionals critique their delivery of career education against approved best practice criteria.

The benchmarks are based on five dimensions of effective career development practice:

1. Student career management competencies
2. Leadership
3. Programmes and services
4. Information systems
5. Employer engagement.

Progress is assessed on up to four levels. Each level has descriptors for tertiary organisations to self-review against, and identify areas for development.

Who should use them?

The benchmarks should be used by:

• senior managers in tertiary institutions with responsibilities for careers education
• policy managers in the sector
• career educators, career consultants and other career staff.

Testing the benchmarks

The draft benchmarks are currently being tested throughout the country before they are finalised. Testing is being done with universities, polytechnics, w?nanga, private training providers, industry training organisations, and others.

Interested in providing feedback on the draft benchmarks?

For further information on how you can provide feedback on the benchmarks, please email [email protected]

When will the benchmarks be ready to use?

The benchmarks will be launched in July 2012. We will support tertiary organisations with a range of resources.

Further information

To share your comments on the benchmarks, or receive electronic updates, please email [email protected]