Just a thought

If I spend ￡50,000 on a degree I expect some return for the money I've spent. Just in the same way If I buy a new set of teeth in Turkey, I expect to feel like I look better and get a few more likes on social media. We all have an investment to make - often determined by what's important to us. Careers education and guidance services has become the choice investment for the West Midlands Combined Authority. Rightly so.

The Role of Career Development Professionals

It is predicted that for every ￡1 invested in careers guidance services ￡9.02 of Net additional tax revenue is returned. The expected return on investment with a low level of risk is unmatched in my opinion.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has outlined several key objectives aimed at improving the region's qualifications profile and addressing labour market needs.?

They have recently updated their Employment and Skills strategy document so let's break down how Career Development Professionals (CDPs) contribute to these objectives (in bold):

1. Improving the qualifications profile of the region: CDPs play a crucial role in advocating for the importance of education and training. They liaise with local stakeholders to address labour market shortages and ensure individuals understand the value of qualifications. For instance, by working with industry members, CDPs can identify skill gaps and tailor training programs accordingly.

An example from my work,? I am a member of UKTIN a group co-ordinated by Clare McKee to raise awareness of the opportunities in the Telecommunications sector.?Together, we have delivered some events in London.

2. Helping people into work: CDPs support individuals in various transitions, whether it's from education to employment or from one job to another. They provide personalised guidance to help individuals make informed decisions about their career paths. By understanding employer needs, CDPs assist individuals in showcasing their skills effectively, thereby increasing their employability.

In my work, I have helped 1000s of students individually to make the transition from education to more education or employment. I see clients privately for career coaching mainly for those who want a career change or job promotion. Last year the average salary uplift was ￡5,000 - consistent with the ￡1 in ￡9 out equation with an average spend of ￡500 per private client. One client I worked with got a ￡25,000 uplift with a shift from public sector working to the private sector. I recently talked about a new model for answering interview questions using EXTRA STAR - I attribute this success to how I am educating people to behave during an interview.?

EXTRA STAR can be found here.

3. Aligning training provision to regional priority sectors: CDPs actively engage with stakeholders to ensure training programs align with the region's priority sectors. By participating in strategic discussions and advisory boards, they contribute valuable insights into workforce development needs and help tailor training initiatives accordingly. Every school/college and university should have some form of industry advisory board - Aston University Engineering Academy is an excellent example of this .

I have worked with stakeholders in the sports industry to address the promotion of opportunities in certain sectors. In the early part of my career, I conveyed stakeholders from the land-based sector to address jobs in the land-based sector.?

4. Responding quickly and flexibly to meet labour market demands: CDPs disseminate labour market information to help individuals identify opportunities and make informed decisions. By staying updated on industry trends and job market demands, they empower individuals to capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Most CDPs give talks every week and share information with the view to help people connect the dots e.g. In my careers talk, I use Women’s football as an example to showcase the rise of the number of job opportunities in the sector: production, sports coaching, and support roles etc.?

5. Promoting the growth of higher-level skills training: CDPs advocate for the importance of education and training, particularly at higher levels, to address qualification gaps in the region. They work tirelessly to ensure individuals realize their potential through education and training initiatives.

6. Building stronger communities: CDPs play a vital role in community-building by hosting career events, distributing information, and promoting opportunities. They facilitate stakeholder collaboration to address labour market needs and create pathways for individuals to succeed.

Conclusion

While CDPs play an important role strategically at the collective level, they play an equally important role for the individual. They, unlike anyone else, provide a safe, confidential space?so that the person can articulate their ambition and work out a sensible plan for achieving their potential.

CDPs have a role to play in boosting the economic prosperity of communities and the country.?They serve as catalysts for economic growth and social development by providing personalised guidance, advocating for education and training, and fostering stakeholder collaboration. Their work aligns with the WMCA's objectives to enhance the region's qualifications profile, support workforce development, and build stronger communities. This is why Mayor Andy Street has committed to funding 40 additional Careers Advisers for the region . Let's hope this happens!

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance touches us all. A good CDP must do their best to keep up. A great way to keep up with what is going on in Careers is to follow Chris Webb who publishes a great weekly national round-up called "This Week in Careers".

If your organisation is looking for a CDP to help your organisation then get in touch with me or search the CDi register here .