QUALITY FRAMEWORK FOR CAREERS EDUCATION, INFORMATION, AND GUIDANCE – NEW ZEALAND (2024)
The Quality Framework for Career Information, Advice, and Guidance (New Zealand) is the most recent addition to an impressive set of documents produced by the Tertiary Education Commission to improve the provision of career guidance for all of the population of New Zealand. The TEC engaged Dr Lynette Reid, an eminent NZ scholar, to research the framework following on the NZ national careers system strategy and action plan which were subjects of previous ICCDPP newsletters (September, October 2024).
Perspective on quality
Quality is viewed in this publication as a series of agreed social practices that best serve the context (national, social, cultural, and organisational) in which they are developed. The framework draws, as appropriate, on the many quality practices, guidelines and benchmarks (9 of them) produced by NZ to date.
Methodology
Significant stakeholder engagement was undertaken with many government agencies, employer organisations, career professional associations, career-sector-specific networks, Māori organisations, and client group representatives, in the development of the framework, using participatory action research.
Three findings from the engagement approach:
– Producing and sharing career knowledge
– What serves us is different to what serves you: the needs of individuals, whānau, and communities
– A skilled and expert careers workforce
underpinned the development of five criteria for quality careers education, information, and guidance (CEIAG).
Framework
The five criteria for quality are:
-Committed and trusted leadership
-Meaningful and diverse knowledge-based practice
-Sustainable past, present and futures
-Self-determined success and well-being
-Thriving and secure identities.
All criteria are supported/informed by research and engagement insights.
The next steps are to develop a strategic plan for quality in CEIAG to enable the enactment of the framework.
This erudite and culturally sensitive publication is a must read for any country embarking on developing a quality framework for career guidance provision in all of its dimensions or reviewing an existing framework.