News & Events

In the lead up to the federal election this year, CICA has written to each member of the House of Representatives and the Senate asking them to answer four questions about the provision of high quality careers advice for all Australians.

• In partnership with government CICA has established professional standards for Australian career development practitioners, and guidelines for information and career services that go to the heart of quality and public confidence in career development services. Should government contracts focused on providing career and transition services be required to meet these minimum standards?
• The Australian government operates a telephone careers helpline as an initiative of the Keep Australia working program. The focus of the next stage of the helpline will be on mature age workers only. Should this service be expanded to assist parents, rural and remote young people, indigenous communities etc? Are there other groups that within your electorate that may also benefit from having access to careers advice by telephone?
• Many OECD countries have established a research to enhance the quality of services and their impact on a national level (e.g., improved school to employment transitions). Should funding be committed to support the further development of an evidence base for career development services in Australia?
• Australia needs to encourage more Australians to undertake vocational education and training to meet emerging skills shortages. Should career development services in TAFE and other vocational education institutions be strengthened to ensure that individuals do not fall through the gaps?

CICA has asked all career practitioners to contact their local candidates and highlight the importance of a strong national system of career development and the need for a strengthening of national career programs and how they might support national career development initiatives.