In late August 2023, Aotearoa New Zealand reached a significant milestone with the release of the National Careers System Strategy. This comprehensive strategy, developed through collaborative efforts, is set to reshape the careers landscape in New Zealand. Spearheaded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), this strategy envisions a future where individuals are empowered to understand themselves, their aspirations, and navigate career opportunities throughout their lives.
Understanding the Strategy’s Vision:
The National Careers System Strategy redefines the concept of “careers” to encompass all aspects of an individual’s life journey, recognizing both paid and unpaid work, as well as time spent in study and training. This broad definition ensures inclusivity and embraces the diverse career aspirations of New Zealanders, taking into account the varying needs and cultural perspectives within the country.
At its core, the Strategy places people at the center, focusing on empowering individuals and their whānau (families) to make informed and meaningful career decisions. This approach acknowledges that career paths are unique to each person and that the careers system should be adaptable to cater to the individual needs and aspirations of its users.
Collaborative Development
The development of the National Careers System Strategy was a collaborative effort that engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, the careers workforce, education providers, businesses, Māori communities, and other representatives from various sectors. More than 700 stakeholders were involved in shaping this strategy, making it a truly inclusive and representative document.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of this collaborative approach was the inclusion of Māori perspectives. TEC engaged with Māori, iwi, and rōpū to better understand Māori aspirations and specific needs from the careers system. This commitment to incorporating indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the strategy is a significant step toward cultural inclusivity and equity within New Zealand’s careers system.
Mission: The mission of the National Careers System Strategy is to empower individuals throughout their lives by providing comprehensive careers education, information, advice, and guidance. This mission seeks to equip people with the skills, knowledge, tools, support, and confidence needed to make informed and meaningful career decisions and transitions. It emphasizes the inclusivity of all career-related activities, whether they involve paid or unpaid work, study, or training.
Vision: The vision of the strategy is to create a future where individuals in Aotearoa New Zealand are empowered to understand themselves, their aspirations, and the various career opportunities available to them. It envisions a careers system that adapts to the unique needs and aspirations of each person and their whānau (families). This vision places individuals at the center of the careers system, recognizing that career paths are diverse and personal.
Principles:
Key Focus Areas
The National Careers System Strategy identifies three key focus areas that will shape its implementation:
- Strengthen Connections (Te Whakapakari Hononga): The first focus area emphasizes the need to strengthen connections within the careers system. This involves establishing a leadership function responsible for improving coordination and fostering stronger connections among users, stakeholders, government agencies, and related systems. Additionally, collaboration with industry, employers, and educational institutions is essential to develop and share high-quality careers-related information. Increasing awareness and usage of the careers system and its services is also a key aspect of this focus area, ensuring that it is easily accessible to everyone.
- Grow Quality Careers Support (Te Whakatupu i te Tautoko Aramahi Kounga): The second focus area centers on enhancing the quality and availability of careers support while diversifying the range of individuals who deliver these services. To achieve this, options for increasing effective careers support for secondary students are explored. This includes considering various approaches such as enhancing the existing system, involving external providers, and providing flexibility to schools to cater to their specific needs. Furthermore, the focus area explores ways to increase face-to-face careers support and deliver learning opportunities and resources to strengthen the capabilities of frontline careers service providers. The continued development of Tahatū, a platform to aid career decisions, is also emphasized.
- Ensure Equitable Access (Te Whakarite Kia Mana Ōrite Te Whai Wāhi): The third focus area underscores the importance of ensuring equitable access to the careers system for all individuals and communities. This involves collaborative efforts with Māori, other communities, and stakeholders to understand and eliminate barriers that may hinder people and their whānau from accessing and utilizing the careers system effectively. Moreover, supporting Māori and Pacific communities in developing and delivering community-led careers programs is a crucial component of this focus area. Additionally, providing support and resources to schools for delivering careers guidance to Māori, Pacific peoples, and disabled learners is a priority. Lastly, ongoing alignment of the careers system’s efforts with other government agencies working towards employment outcomes for Māori and priority groups is essential, and a monitoring program will be developed to ensure access remains equitable and outcomes continue to improve over the long term.
Impact on Government Priorities
The National Careers System Strategy aligns with key government priorities, including building a skilled workforce, improving the efficiency of the labor market, and addressing equity issues. By focusing on strengthening connections, improving the quality of careers support, and ensuring equitable access, the strategy contributes to these broader goals.
The Action Plan
The Strategy lays the groundwork for an Action Plan, which will detail specific actions, delivery methods, and responsible parties for implementing the strategy’s recommendations. One of the critical recommendations from the strategy is the establishment of a leadership function, which is currently in progress. The Action Plan will be instrumental in translating the strategy’s vision into practical, actionable steps.
The National Careers System Strategy represents a significant leap forward in reshaping New Zealand’s careers landscape. With its broad definition of careers and a focus on inclusivity, empowerment, and equity, the strategy holds the promise of providing individuals with the tools and support they need to make informed and fulfilling career decisions throughout their lives.
Through a collaborative development process that engaged diverse stakeholders, including indigenous perspectives, the strategy has set a solid foundation for transforming the careers system. By strengthening connections, improving the quality of careers support, and ensuring equitable access, the strategy aligns with government priorities and aims to build a more skilled, efficient, and equitable workforce.
As the Action Plan takes shape and specific initiatives are rolled out, it will be fascinating to witness the tangible impact of the National Careers System Strategy on the lives of New Zealanders. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the commitment to placing individuals and their aspirations at the heart of the careers system.
