Equity and Participation in Careers Education: Insights from Australian Year 10 Students

Abstract

Navigating pathways into education, training, and the workforce has always been challenging for young people. With the growing complexity of the world of work and varied post-secondary education pathways, providing support and guidance is crucial. In Australia, national policies such as the Australian Blueprint for Career Development, National Career Development Strategy, and the National Career Education Strategy aim to support young people's career readiness. Despite the acknowledged importance of careers education, there is limited national reporting on its current state in Australian secondary schools. This article explores the experiences of over 15,000 Year 10 students in Australian schools, using data from the first wave (2022) of the GENERATION longitudinal study. It examines student participation in various career education activities and focuses on equity of access. The study aims to address the following research questions: What careers education activities are Australian students participating in during Year 10? Does student participation vary by student characteristics or school characteristics? The findings highlight the importance of contextualizing career education practices and ensuring equitable access to career guidance and support for all students.