Career service provision in higher education : an international comparative study

Abstract

This project compiles data specific to career guidance in higher educational settings in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Malta. By visiting available documentation relevant to the subject the author seeks comparisons and examples of good practice to be learnt from with a view to the further development of career guidance provision in Malta. Interviews with policy stakeholders in Malta and a focus group with a number of career guidance officers in a Maltese higher educational institution provide further insight into the Maltese reality and the developments envisaged. Stake holders interviewed include the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Employment Service Agency in Malta, the Pro-Rector in charge of student affairs at the University of Malta, the course coordinator in charge of running the Post Graduate Diploma in Career Guidance and Development at the same University and the Director for Educational services at the Department of Education within the Ministry of Education, Employment and Youth Affairs. The dissertation focuses on four key thematic dimensions intended to provide a focus for the project, namely: 1. the amount and type of presence career guidance in higher education; 2. the training requirements and standards of career practitioners; 3. the quality assessment measures used; and, 4. the involvement of social partners in career services. Basing on these four key dimensions, comparisons were sought across the examined countries in order to provide qualitative data support to conclusions and recommendations that the author makes at the end towards strengthening existing career development services in the Maltese higher educational scenario and developing it with a sharp eye on tried and tested positive experiences.