The increasing challenges of meeting workforce demands over the coming decades will be achieved more effectively through the provision of quality career advice and information to all Australians.

Responding to the recent Skills Australia’s report Australian Workforce Future, CDAA’s National President, Carole Brown is highlighting the central role that informed decision making about jobs and raining makes to workforce participation and productivity.

“Career development professionals are the most able and qualified people to advise individuals and organisations about career and workforce. They have both the expertise and experience to make an immediate and positive impact on the working lives of millions of Australians as well as the productivity of business”, says Ms Brown.

“The challenges that Australia faces in relation to skills shortages, lower participation rates as well as high youth unemployment are highly concerning. It is recognised that the provision of quality career advice and information assists people at all stages of life to make informed choices about jobs and education.

“Career development expertise assists people to “join the dots” by providing information and guidance about job opportunities, areas of skills shortages and education and training options. Without this intervention people are more often than not left making hopeful guesses about their next career or job move or worse still remain in jobs they are not suited to.

“Likewise, for those experiencing underemployment or unemployment, or transitioning from school to work, professional career advice is critical to supporting informed job search relevant to individuals’ particular circumstances.”

The Skills Australia report (www.skillsaustralia.gov.au) identifies several priorities for action including deepening the level of workforce skills and addressing the skill needs of groups with relatively low workforce participation rates. It also recommends developing specialised skills strategies for industries likely to experience strongest demand including health care, construction, education and training, professional, scientific and technical services and retail.

“Career professionals are key influencers in job and career choices of individuals. Imagine the impact they could have in informing job seekers and career changers about these in-demand areas,” says Ms Brown.

“The contribution that career development makes to Australia’s growth and social fabric is already significant. Further attention to this vital piece of the puzzle can only bring heightened benefit to enterprises, communities and individuals.”