This workshop will present interim findings from a research project, funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council, in which we are investigating continuity and change in the professional roles, identities and practices of careers advisers since the introduction of Connexions services and their recent devolvement to local authorities. The project has conducted a national survey to map the national state of the career guidance profession within Connexions in terms of staffing levels, turnover and specialist expertise, and national stakeholders in career guidance are being interviewed. We are also developing intensive case studies of three Connexions services, each of which has different structural arrangements for delivery. These include in-depth interviews with careers advisers who have different lengths of service in the profession; with some CAs who chose to quit Connexions; and with local managers and stakeholders. A key question for the study is: what happens to professionals when policy decisions fundamentally alter the working terrain of their profession? A key aim is to inform policy and practice about infrastructural support and professional development needs to maximise the effectiveness of career guidance in the 14-19 sector. The research team are very keen to encourage feedback from delegates participating in the workshop, both in response to their interim findings, and in formulating final recommendations from the project.
Dr Helen Colley is Senior Research Fellow in the Education and Social Research Institute (ESRI) at Manchester Metropolitan University, and a Fellow of the National Institute of Career Education and Counselling. Her research interests focus on career transitions and lifelong learning, with a particular concern for issues of gender and social justice.
Dr Lisa Mazzei is Research Fellow in ESRI at MMU, where she is also Programme Leader for the Masters in Research Methods (Education and Society). With a background in vocational education, her central research interests are concerned with race, culture and social justice in education. |
