A Competency Framework for Career Development ...

1 Competency Framework for Career Development Practitioners in South Africa Department of Higher Education and Training Compiled by: Avron Herr PACE Career Centre in collaboration with Distinguished Professor Mark B Watson (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa) and Dr. Mary L McMahon (Australia) EVALUATION VERSION Version All comments to be emailed to: by 15 January 2015 A Competency Framework for Career Development Practitioners in South Africa (2014) D e p a r t m e n t o f H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n a n d T r a i n i n g 2 | P a g e Abbreviations and Acronyms CAPES Confederation of Associations in the Private Employment Sector CAPS Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement CAS Career Advice Services DBE Department of Basic Education DCS Department of Correctional Services DHET Department of Higher Education and Training DOL Department of Labour ESP Employment Services practitioner ESSA Employment Services South

2 Africa FET Further Education and Training HEI Higher Education Institution IPM Institute for People Management NPO Not for Profit Organisation NQF National Qualification Framework NSDS III National Skills Development Strategy III NYDA National Youth Development Agency SAACDHE Southern African Association for Counselling and Development in Higher Education SAQA South African Qualifications Authority SETA Sector Education and Training Authority SSP Sector Skills Plan SSS Student Support Services SSSU Student Support Services Units A Competency Framework for Career Development Practitioners in South Africa (2014) D e p a r t m e n t o f H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n a n d T r a i n i n g 3 | P a g e Table of Contents 1.

3 Introduction 2. A South African Overview for a Career Development practitioner Competency Framework Academia and Career Psychology in South Africa Policy and Career Service Delivery in South Africa General Competency Guidelines What policy documents suggest a) The functions of Career delivery services b) The relationship to existing Competency frameworks c) The status quo of Career Development services in South Africa d) A Competency Framework requires Competency designated levels e) A Competency Framework requires minimum standards f) A Competency Framework requires consultation g) A Competency Framework requires an implementation strategy, monitoring and evaluation What Career delivery services suggest Summative Guidelines 3.

4 The current role of Career Development Practitioners in South Africa Schools a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services Universities a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services Department of Labour A Competency Framework for Career Development Practitioners in South Africa (2014) D e p a r t m e n t o f H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n a n d T r a i n i n g 4 | P a g e a) Type of services provided1 b) Education level of persons providing the services2 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services National Youth Development Agency a)

5 Type of services provided3 b) Education level of persons providing the services4 Department of Correctional Services a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services Libraries a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services Recruitment Agencies a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services Organisations a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services Private Practice: Psychologists, Psychometrists and Registered Counsellors a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services Private Practice: Lay Career Development Practitioners a) Type of services provided 1 Crafford, E.

6 Department of Labour (2014) 2 Ibid 3 Vijverberg, B. National Youth Development Agency. (2014) 4 Ibid A Competency Framework for Career Development Practitioners in South Africa (2014) D e p a r t m e n t o f H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n a n d T r a i n i n g 5 | P a g e b) Education level of persons providing the services NPO s including religious institutions, community centres, etc a) Type of services provided b) Education level of persons providing the services Web-Based Services opportunistic versus pedagogic a) Type of services provided b)

7 Education level of persons providing the services Section Summary 4. Career Development Competencies: International and National Examples Background International Examples of Competency Frameworks a) International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance b) European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) c) Network for Innovation in Career Guidance and Counselling in Europe (NICE) National Examples of Competency Frameworks United States of America Canada Republic of Ireland Australia UK Career Development Occupational Standards Scotland Points to note 5.

8 The South African Competence Framework 6. Implementation of the Framework 7. Research into and monitoring and evaluation of implementation 8. Action Plan A Competency Framework for Career Development Practitioners in South Africa (2014) D e p a r t m e n t o f H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n a n d T r a i n i n g 6 | P a g e 1. Introduction The Development of a Competency Framework for Career Development practitioners in South Africa is set in the context of a growing awareness in South Africa and internationally that Career Development services may assist with labour market challenges related to the transition from school and university to the workforce and unemployment.

9 Career Development services can assist individuals develop Career management skills that include decision making, transition, and Career planning skills. Paradoxically, at a time when policy makers are recognising the potential of Career Development services, attention has also been drawn to the skills, knowledge and qualifications of Career Development practitioners. In South Africa, as in many other countries, Career Development services are provided by practitioners with varying levels of skills and knowledge to a broad range of client groups in diverse settings such as schools, tertiary institutions, government services and community organisations.

10 This paradoxical situation has arisen because, to date, the field of Career Development has been described as weakly professionalised (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD], 2003, p. 93) with Career Development practitioners entering the field from a range of disciplines and from diverse experience bases. Thus, the need to define the profession and identify its core skills and knowledge base has become a pressing issue internationally as well as in South Africa. A number of countries ( , Australia, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States of America) have responded to this need by developing Competency frameworks that identify the core skills and knowledge required by Career Development Practitioners (CDPs).