Page 74 - Professionalising-career-guidance-practitioner-competences-and-qualification-routes-in-Europe

4.7.6. Coverage of the labour market, occupational and other opportunity information

The item on career-related information in the benchmark statement includes skill and ability
to ‘interpret information and tailor it to the needs of clients, partners and key influencers’. Of
particular concern to the expert reference group was the need to include how labour market
information (LMI) is used in a career guidance context.
Aspects of the labour market are included throughout the benchmark statement and
associated modules, which include a dedicated module on labour market studies. In addition,
one of the professional practice modules includes a unit on career-related information, which
enables students to explore both paper and electronic sources. Tutors ensure that sources of
LMI are accessible to students when interviewing school pupils, and are now planning to ask
students to undertake more in-depth research into the career options discussed in the
interviews. Students also research into, and report on, a specific occupational sector, for
example travel and tourism.

4.7.7. Professional identity

The qualification in career guidance and development is taught through different
departments (education; social sciences; health studies) and draws substantially on these
disciplines. However, the fact that career professionals are being trained separately on a
bespoke postgraduate course is likely to reinforce the concept of career guidance as a
separate profession. In addition, the emphasis on creating reflective practitioners, who are
contributing to a body of research at postgraduate level, should enhance public perceptions
of career guidance as a separate ‘profession’, rather than a ‘job’ or a specialism within
another profession such as teaching or psychology.

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