Written by Teresa Wilson, Quality and Standards Advisor (QASA) at Open Awards
Effective career planning is a crucial part of high-quality information, advice, and guidance (IAG), helping young people make informed decisions about their future. By embedding careers advice early, professionals can support individuals in understanding their strengths, interests, and the wide range of academic and vocational pathways available to them. This not only enhances self-awareness and goal-setting skills but also increases the likelihood of long-term job satisfaction. Below, Teresa Wilson, QASA at Open Awards provides us with her thoughts on the importance of embedding career planning as part of IAG.
The Importance of Career Planning in Information, Advice and Guidance
“High quality careers guidance is essential to enable all children and young people to understand the range of options available to realise their potential” (Ofsted, 2022).
There are many pathways for young people to reach their career goals, they could opt for the academic route or a vocational route such as an apprenticeship, and that journey starts early on in their education.
Good careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) will take a young person’s interests, hobbies and learning preferences into account to provide an awareness of the various career opportunities and job profiles to be explored.
Career planning is very important as this guides young people in the knowledge and skills they will need to attain to fulfil their career goals. Career planning builds self-awareness and develops skills in goal setting. Good career planning can result in increased job satisfaction. It is often said by people who are following a career in something they are passionate about that “it doesn’t feel like work”."