Debating the future shape of career guidance

Digital 2010’s “Digital Futures” events are designed to bring together a group of people with shared interests to discuss and debate core issues within the Digital 2010 agenda.

 

In April 2008, a Digital Futures IAG event brought together over 50 representatives of organisations providing information, advice and guidance with senior figures from the IT and creative and media industries. The event focused on two key questions: “What will the IT and Creative & Media Industries look like in 2013?” and “Are we giving young people the right information on Career Opportunities?”

 

The objectives of the day were to:

Combining inputs from experts with panel discussions and group workshops, the delegates covered a wide ranging agenda. One of the topics which underpinned delegates' discussions was the gap in experiences between young people who have grown up surrounded by technology, and their advisers who may be so much less familiar with such applications. With many young people leading increasing amounts of their lives online, careers advisers need to understand how to guide them (a) on how to exploit their online skills and dexterity to their advantage in the employment market, and (b) on how to avoid leaving an online imprint of potentially embarrassing youthful activities which might be visible to a future employer.

 

The feedback from delegates at the event was uniformly positive and the final session arrived at a consensus on future action and development. There was general agreement on the need to communicate the economic benefits of working in the Digital Industries, and that key characteristics employers are looking for include creativity, enterprise, digital skills, passion, enthusiasm and “obsession”. Parents in particular need to be targeted with such messages, which need to include case studies of success stories in areas of work which parents find difficult to understand.

 

It was agreed that Digital 2010 would explore further means to support IAG professionals and keep them informed of changes in the industry. As one delegate commented “It is hard enough for us professionals to keep pace with latest developments in digital skills - what hope is there for teachers, parents and students?

 

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