Until recently, remarkably little attention has been paid to public policy in the career guidance field. With rare exceptions, there has been no tradition of policy studies in the professional literature. Little consideration has been given to policy matters in the training of career guidance practitioners.
This chapter is divided into four main parts. The first examines the rationale for policy interest in career guidance services. The second analyses the potential roles of public policy in relation to such services. The third identifies the main philosophical models which can underpin public policies in this field, distinguishing between social-welfare, market and quasi-market models. The fourth and final section explores a number of policy issues, including the relative merits of stand-alone and embedded delivery models, the distinction between reactive and proactive policy models, mechanisms for strategic leadership, and ways of influencing policy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Becker, G. S. (1993). Human capital theory: A theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Bezanson, L., & Kellett, R. (2001). Integrating career information and guidance services at a local level. Paper prepared for the OECD Career Guidance Policy Review. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Bezanson, L., & O’Reilly, E. (Eds.). (2002). Making waves: Volume 2, Connecting career development with public policy. Ottawa, Canada: Canadian Career Development Foundation.
Goodin, R. E. (1982). Freedom and the welfare state: Theoretical foundations. Journal of Social Policy, 11, 149–176.
Grubb, W. N. (2004). An occupation in harmony: The roles of markets and government in career information and guidance. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 4(2–3), 123–139.
Herr, E. L. (2003). The future of career counseling as an instrument of public policy. Career Development Quarterly, 52(1), 8–17.
Hiebert, B., & Bezanson, L. (Eds.). (2000). Making waves: Career development and public policy. Ottawa, Canada: Canadian Career Development Foundation.
Hirschmann, A. O. (1970). Exit, voice and loyalty. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Killeen, J., White, M., & Watts, A. G. (1992). The economic value of careers guidance. London: Policy Studies Institute.
McCarthy, J. (2004). The skills, training and qualifications of guidance workers. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 4(2–3), 159–178.
Meijers, F. (2001). The effects of the marketisation of career guidance services in the Netherlands. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 23, 131–149.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (OECD) (1996). Mapping the future: Young people and career guidance. Paris: Author.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (OECD) (2002). Rethinking human capital. In Education policy analysis. Paris: Author.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (OECD) (2004). Career guidance and public policy: Bridging the gap. Paris: Author.
Peck, D. (2004). Careers services: History, policy and practice in the United Kingdom. London: Routledge/Falmer.
Plant, P. (2004). Quality in career guidance: Issues and methods. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 4(2–3), 141–157.
Pryor, R. G. L., & Watts, A. G. (Eds.). (1991). Symposium: Policy challenges confronting careers guidance. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 19, 225–297.
Savas, E. S. (1987). Privatisation: The key to better government. Chatham, NJ: Chatham House.
Smith, A. (1776). An enquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations. Edinburgh, UK: Black.
Sultana, R. G. (2004). Guidance policies in the knowledge society: Trends, challenges and responses across Europe. Thessaloniki, Greece: CEDEFOP.
Watts, A. G. (1995). Applying market principles to the delivery of careers guidance services: A critical review. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 23(1), 69–81.
Watts, A. G. (1996). Careers guidance and public policy. In A. G. Watts, B. Law, J. Killeen, J. M. Kidd, & R. Hawthorn. Rethinking careers education and guidance: Theory, policy and practice (pp. 380–391). London: Routledge.
Watts, A. G. (1999). Reshaping career development for the 21st century. CeGS Occasional Paper. Derby, UK: Centre for Guidance Studies, University of Derby.
Watts, A. G. (2000). Career development and public policy. Career Development Quarterly, 48(4), 301–312.
Watts, A. G. (2001). Career guidance and social exclusion: A cautionary tale. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 29(2), 157–176.
Watts, A. G. (2002a). The role of information and communication technologies in integrated career information and guidance systems: A policy perspective. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 2(3), 139–155.
Watts, A. G. (2002b). Introduction. In L. Bezanson & E. O’Reilly (Eds.), Making waves: Volume 2, Connecting career development with public policy. Ottawa, Canada: Canadian Career Development Foundation.
Watts, A. G. (2005) Careers Scotland: Progress and potential. Glasgow, UK: Careers Scotland.
Watts, A. G. (2006). Devolution and diversification: Career guidance in the home countries. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 34(1), 1–12.
Watts, A. G., & Dent, G. (2002). ‘Let your fingers do the walking’: The use of telephone helplines in career information and guidance. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 30(1), 17–35.
Watts, A. G., & Dent, G. (2006). The ‘P’ word: Productivity in the delivery of career guidance services. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 34(2), 177–189.
Watts, A. G., & Fretwell, D. (2004). Public policies for career development: Policy strategies for designing career information and guidance systems in middle-income and transition economies. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Watts, A. G., & Sultana, R. G. (2004). Career guidance policies in 37 countries: Contrasts and common themes. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 4(2–3), 105–122.
Watts, A. G., Dartois, C., & Plant, P. (1988). Educational and vocational guidance services for the 14–25 age group in the European Community. Maastricht, The Netherlands: Presses Interuniversitaires Européennes.
Watts, A. G., Guichard, J., Plant, P., & Rodriguez, M. L. (1994). Educational and vocational guidance in the European Community. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
Watts, A. G., Hawthorn, R., Hoffbrand, J., Jackson, H., & Spurling, A. (1997). Developing local lifelong guidance strategies. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 25(2), 217–227.
Watts, A. G., Hughes, D., & Wood, M. (2005). A market in career? Evidence and issues. CeGS Occasional Paper. Derby, UK: Centre for Guidance Studies, University of Derby.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer Science + Business Media B.V
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Watts, A.G. (2008). Career Guidance and Public Policy. In: Athanasou, J.A., Van Esbroeck, R. (eds) International Handbook of Career Guidance. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6230-8_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6230-8_17
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-6229-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-6230-8
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawEducation (R0)