The Government will provide additional funding of $143.2 million over four years to implement the Australian Network of Industry Careers Advisers (ANICA) initiative.
Under ANICA, a network of Local Community Partnerships (LCPs) will partner with industry and professional career advisers to facilitate and promote:
- assistance to students to develop individual Transition Plans and understand study and work options;
- access to professional career advice;
- relevant work experience through the Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) Programme during schooling;
- industry-led Adopt a School projects;
- vocational education and training in schools;
- enhanced monitoring and mentoring arrangements for all young people, particularly Year 9 and 10 students;
- engagement of parents, teachers and career advisers in education about post school options; and
- advice on youth services and programmes.
Industry leadership will also be extended through Regional Industry Career Advisers (RICAs).
The standard of career advice in schools and the importance of career advice as an integral part of the school curriculum will also be elevated through a number of initiatives.
The ANICA initiative will take the Australian Government’s Career and Transition (CAT) initiative from pilot to mainstream delivery and introduce a focus on increasing responsiveness to industry needs. The current 20 CAT Pilot projects will conclude in December 2005.
The delivery of Structured Workplace Learning through LCPs will continue.
Funding under ANICA will ensure that a number of career initiatives will continue: School and Industry Leadership forums; Career Education Lighthouse School projects; scholarships for career advisers to undertake study or industry placements; and professional development activities for career practitioners.
ANICA will build on existing programmes and for the first time create a comprehensive national career and transitions support network.
Under ANICA, LCPs will have an expanded role that includes delivering career and transition support and implementing the successful model of Adopt a School projects across the country.
A network of RICAs will provide expert industry career advice. This advice will include comprehensive information on skill needs and local industry career opportunities, particularly those linked to regional economic developments.
A national network of LCPs and RICAs will provide professional career advice to young people and link small business, industry skills needs and job opportunities within local communities/regions.
Through strategic partnerships and an increase in small business involvement in career and transition activities, there will be more opportunities for local and regional businesses to promote skills needs in their sectors.
LCPs will involve a wide range of local community organisations and offer opportunities to participate on regional service provider management committees.
ANICA will have a positive impact on young people, parents, local communities, schools and businesses across Australia.
Parents will receive support to help their children’s transitions.
Career practitioners will benefit from increased support to provide timely and relevant careers information and advice.
Young people will have a clear understanding of the career choices available to them, especially opportunities that local vocational education and training options offer, as well as careers that can be pursued through university study.
There will be greater input from industry into helping address future skill needs and employment needs.
The needs of businesses will be met through better prepared young people with appropriate careers advice, better matched to local job opportunities and skill needs.
The ANICA initiative is funded to 30 June 2009. An evaluation of ANICA will inform further consideration of the initiative.
The ANICA initiative has now been renamed Career Advice Australia (CAA).
More information about the Career Advice Australia (CAA) initiative is available at: www.dest.gov.au/careerdevelopment/CAA 