UK Steering group discussions

What is understood by equal opportunities for guidance practice?

Three different perspectives of equal opportunities for guidance practice were pout forward by the group from their understanding and problems in practice:

1) It is difficult to get some organisations to understand the value of information, advice and guidance (IAG) and how it can help redress the under-representation of some groups in certain sectors. 

2) Employers want the best people working for them, but they are often only focusing on a small part of the population for requirement.  There are stereotyped ideas about who can work in the sector.

3) There is tension in recruitment and selection between the employer, the Human Resource (HR) specialist and the employee.  The value of IAG is often not understood by HR specialist/professionals for informing selection and recruitment particularly in regards to equal opportunities. 

What are the key challenges?

The key challenges identified by the group in light of these perspectives and problems for practice:

• geographical location and problems for individuals accessing leaning and employment opportunities
• impact and influence of local community and/or family on career decision making
• what is seen as acceptable employment by the community and/or family?
• language issues (particularly Welsh in the UK)
• understanding of social engineering
• career mobility and social mobility

They challenges raised some further issues:

How do practitioners deal with issues arising from the geographical location of an individuals and helping them achieving their aspirations?

How do practitioners deal with the tensions between keeping a skilled workforce in the region and giving an individual the opportunity to understand the opportunities available across the country?

What factors act as a barrier to career or social mobility?

A suggested theme put forward by the group for inclusion on the website:

‘Opening up opportunity and choice’ or ‘Opening up an individual’s world’

With questions such as:

• How do we achieve widening choice and opportunity?
• What strategies can we adopt in everyday practice?
• What tools and facts are needed by practitioners?

What would you expect to find in this website section?

• good/realistic information on the skills and attributes needed for different occupations for clients
• non-stereotyped information of skills which would include softer skills such as team-working and communication
• pointers to information about opportunities across the country and pay data (although it was noted to be difficult to collect and keep up-to-date)
• links to resources and other projects
• examples of career paths
• narratives
• case studies
• focus on strategic materials
• facts and tools on how to handle the barriers clients face