Career Services - A review in an international perspective

Please note: on 1 July 2017, the staff and functions of Careers New Zealand transferred to the Tertiary Education Commission.

"Career Services (now named Careers New Zealand) represents the most fully integrated example in the world of the integrated all-age organisational structure that is favoured by the OECD Career Guidance Policy Review. It has emerged from a difficult period in the 1990s when its future was under question. It is now firmly established as a well-respected, well-managed organisation, offering high-quality services, with close links with public policy. It is poised for further development."

"Career Services represents the most fully integrated example in the world of the integrated all-age organisational structure that is favoured by the OECD Career Guidance Policy Review. It has emerged from a difficult period in the 1990s when its future was under question. It is now firmly established as a well-respected, well-managed organisation, offering high-quality services, with close links with public policy. It is poised for further development." - Executive Summary

Such development needs to address five key challenges:

• Increasing public awareness and service penetration
• Addressing the needs of adults
• Developing clear and consistent policies regarding relationships with other career guidance providers
• Developing a stronger evidence base for its work
• Fostering strategic leadership within the career guidance industry

"In international terms, Career Services can already claim to 'punch above its weight.' If these challenges are addressed, it has the potential to become a significant world leader in the career guidance field." - Executive Summary

Professor Tony Watts based his findings on the examination of a large number of documents during a six-day study visit to New Zealand in June 2007.

His visit included meetings with the Minister of Education, representatives from a number of ministries, stakeholder representatives, the Career Services' Board Chair and members of staff from regional and national offices, and other career industry professionals.

A full copy of this report is available to download here [PDF 939KB].