During our primary research, educators, employers and young people were asked to share their views about careers guidance in the educational system, the skills required to secure and maintain employment and the process of transitioning from education to employment. This primary data highlighted specific issues and gave weight to the need for further training and support in certain areas.
The primary research has also shown that educators from all partner countries have different approaches to career guidance and training but have similar challenges engaging young people from education. The careers requirements across the partner countries have recurring themes that this project aims to address using materials that can be adapted to suit local, regional or national needs.
During our secondary research the partners collected good practice examples of careers guidance and vocational assessment tools implemented locally, regionally and nationally in the participating countries. As a result of testing and reviewing these different transnational approaches we have developed a range of materials that will be useable by Careers Advisors and educators across Europe.
After an in-depth analysis of different best practices across the partner countries the APT project partners have devised a toolkit of resources to assist the smooth transition for young people from education to employment. This toolkit consists of four bespoke resources aimed at specific target audiences.
1. Careers Advisors and Educators
The first resource is aimed at VET educators, youth workers, education providers, teachers, career counsellors etc. who are dealing with young people who are facing the prospect of transitioning from education to employment. It takes the form of a modular training package that can be delivered in a variety of ways to offer flexibility to the educator. The workbook is a comprehensive collection of information that addresses both ‘soft skills’ as well as the practical aspects of employability. The content is aimed at assisting educators to provide extensive support to their learners and is supplemented by activity plans, learner resources and signposting information within each chapter.
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2. Young People
The second resource is aimed at young people and serves as an information, advice and guidance tool presented in the form of an information booklet. This includes guidance information for young people transitioning from education to employment covering several aspects of employability. The booklet covers information, advice and guidance on actions to take to improve career prospects, signposting to helpful services, website and organisations, employability tips and a ‘Tick box checklist’ or ‘to-do list’ for young people to complete before they leave education.
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3. Employers
The third resource takes the form of support materials for employers who may employ young people. It consists of tips and information for employers to manage their expectations and to help them get the best out of their young employees. This is presented in a small information booklet that covers expectation management, the positive attributes and potential contributions of young people to a business, tips on how to get the best out of a young employee, information about how to recruit good young people (e.g. apprenticeships, internships, work placements and building links with education providers) and signposting to helpful websites and resources.
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4. Parents
The fourth resource is a ‘quick-guide’ for parents of young people. It is aimed at providing support to parents who are guiding their children through the decisions that affect their future career options. It is presented as a small information booklet that provides tips on how to help them improve their employability, how to help them find or search for opportunities, how to help them create a career action plan, how to motivate and encourage them, how to support their decisions, what not to do and signposting to helpful websites and resources.
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