CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PROJECT: FROM POLICY TO IMPLEMENTATION

The function of the Career Development Services

(CDS) project, managed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), is two-fold: policy and national coordination, and project operations/programme implementation. Policy and coordination focuses on stakeholder management and the development of guides and standards for the implementation of an integrated career development system for South Africa.

CDS’s operations focus on the development and management of national shared technology services and the provision of quality career development services to citizens. These services include:

NATIONAL CAREER HELPLINE

The Career Helpline is a national multichannel career development service which offers career, study, funding information, and advice and counselling to members of the public. The channels include the national career telephone helpline which can be reached through SMS or “Please Call Me”, telephone, email, Facebook, Twitter and online LiveChat.

NATIONAL CAREER ADVICE PORTAL

The National Career Advice Portal (NCAP) is a comprehensive career resource for learners, students, unemployed youth, parents, career development practitioners and workers looking to make career changes. The system is based on the list of occupations according to the Organising Framework for Occupations. Each occupation is supported by learning pathways, videos and accredited institutions.

NCAP operates alongside the client relationship management (CRM) system, information hub and cloudbased national helpline telephone system, as well as the Career-help website.

TRAINING AND SUPPORT

The training and support function provides career information and advice through information sessions and

career exhibitions, as well as training workshops for career development practitioners. Key topics include career decision-making, subject choice, financial assistance and applications for post-school education and training opportunities.

INFORMATION SERVICES

The information services function provides free access to quality and up-to-date career information through various platforms. Information is researched, collected and quality-assured. The information hub is a resource accessible to all career development practitioners in the country to ensure the consistency and quality of information disseminated by various stakeholders.

ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS

The targets of the Advocacy and Communication Strategy and Plan for Career Development Services include learners, students, out-of-school youth, parents, career development practitioners and policy-makers. The following platforms are used:

• Khetha radio programme The Khetha radio programme is implemented in partnership with South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Education. It is a weekly programme broadcast by DHET on 13 SABC radio stations that provides career, study and work-related information to members of the public. The broadcasts cover all 11 official languages as well as the Khoi and San communities of the Northern Cape in Xu and Khwe. According to audience measurement ratings supplied by the SABC, the Khetha radio programme attracts 3,5 million listeners per week.

• CDS campaigns - The Apply Now! campaign encourages learners to apply to higher education institutions on time through a booklet and school visits.

- The Blitz campaign reaches the most disadvantaged communities through bus and taxi ranks and train stations.