The Career Development Section develops policy, provides advice, and promotes strategic initiatives, resources and activities designed to improve the capacity of Australians to manage their life, learning and work; to assure the quality of the information and advice they might seek; and to build the capacity of the career sector to respond.
The Section contributes to national and international policy on career development matters, particularly through OECD and MCEETYA. It also works collaboratively with a range of other stakeholders including States and Territories, non-government organisations, and industry and professional associations on a number of career development initiatives.
Initiatives managed by the section include:
- National Career Development Week, which was held between 4-10 June 2007.
- a trial of the Australian Blueprint for Career Development, on behalf of MCEETYA
- myfuture.edu.au, Australia's Internet based career exploration service which can be found at www.myfuture.edu.au and a student occupational video competition. Winning works are included on myfuture.
- Professional Standards for Career Practitioners and guidelines for career services and career information www.cica.org.au
- Australian Career Development Studies (ACDS) which is a professional development package for career practitioners and others with an interest in career development (www.career.edu.au) and the development of a Certificate IV in Career Development, which builds upon the units included in the ACDS.
- The Real Game series of career and life skills education programmes. www.realgame.gov.au
- Scholarships for Career Advisers in Schools to undertake study or industry placements. www.dest.gov.au/careerscholarships