Equipping people to make the right moves

Self-Directing - a critical skill Why?

Equipping people to make the right moves Old Workstyle Paradigm External locus of control (responsibility/control sits out there) Expectation: Wait until someone in authority tells you what to do. Do what you are told.

Equipping people to make the right moves New Workstyle Paradigm Internal locus of control (a share of responsibility/control sits in here) Expectation: work collaboratively with those in authority, then be self-motivated and take self-directed action.

Equipping people to make the right moves Self-Directed/Self-Managed What Does the Evidence Tell Us? Education System? Employers? Individuals? Government?

Equipping people to make the right moves Delivery ModeRequiresAchievable Outcomes 1. Intuitive career counselling Trained + intrinsically intuitive counsellor One-on-one situation Next career decision made 2. Exposure to information Facilitator Information generating activities Group OR one-on-one situations Has lots of information about: a. self b. work options 3. Equip them to decide Teachable career decision-making framework Trained facilitator One-on-one AND/OR group situations Can find own relevant information Next career decision made Has tools and skills to apply whenever needed

Equipping people to make the right moves Assessing Your Services The Activity Activities You ProvidePurposeDelivery Mode Option 1, 2 OR 3? 1. Interest InventoryIdentify work options 2. Personality DimensionsGet to know and accept self better

Equipping people to make the right moves Delivery Mode 3 1.Use an explainable career decision- making process (clear, quick, adaptable) 2.Put the steering wheel in clients hands 3.Leave client with tools they know how to use – now and for life 4.Evaluate the results (short and long term)

Equipping people to make the right moves Delivery Mode 3 – One Example Evidenced-Based Decision-Making Career Focusing… …because there is evidence that it works

Equipping people to make the right moves Career Decision-Making in a Nutshell Work That Fits Work That Fits Work That Fits Learning That Fits College On-The-Job Training University Apprenticeship Private Career College Grades Repeat as Needed

Equipping people to make the right moves The BIG 3 Steps in Defining Work that Fits Step 2. Doing it in a way that suits you Step 1. Doing what you love Step 3. Doing it in a way that reflects your realities Work is a good fit when you are…

Equipping people to make the right moves Transportation Coordinator Millwright Blaster/Driller Para Medic/ Doctor/Nurse Public Relations Specialist Film/Artistic/ Program Director Fund Raiser Urban & Regional Planner Tour Guide (adventure) Travel Agent Electrician Fitness Instructor Elem. Teacher/Early Childhood Educator Lawyer Large Equipment Operator Figuring out how to get good things to happen Jordan Work That Lets You Do What You Love

Equipping people to make the right moves The BIG 3 steps in defining Work that Fits 2. Doing it in a way that suits you Using your Innate/Natural Preferences (Personality) Preference Identification Tools Using your Focus 1. Doing what you love Work is a good fit when you are…

Equipping people to make the right moves Work Remains that Fits In 2 Ways Figuring out how to get good things to happen Jordan Keep/Discard DC CC P/D/T Transportation Coordinator Millwright Real Estate Agent Para Medic/ Doctor/Nurse Marketing / Sales Rep Fund Raiser Tour Guide (adventure) Travel Agent Electrician Fitness Instructor Elem. Teacher/Early Childhood Educator Lawyer Urban & Regional Planner Film/Artistic/ Program Director

Equipping people to make the right moves The BIG 3 steps to define work that fits Step 2. Doing it in a way that suits you Step 1. Doing what you love Step 3. Doing it in a way that reflects your realities Work is a good fit when you are… Academic Financial Personal Skills/Experience

Equipping people to make the right moves Triple Good Fits Electrician/Millwright – Apprenticeship Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – College, On-the-Job or Armed Forces Nurse - College, University Early Childhood Educator – College, University, Apprenticeship Jordan

Equipping people to make the right moves Realities to Consider Internal –Academic –Financial –Personal –Skills/Experience External –Current Labour Market Requirements –Financial

Equipping people to make the right moves Self-Directing / Self-Managing Setting his/her plan = Combine/Sequence/Blend Plan A, B or C? BUT if external labour market requirements change, THEN… …move to next best option

Equipping people to make the right moves Evidence What? Did this example of Delivery Mode 3 (e.g., Career Focusing) work? How? Used Employment Readiness Scale (ERS) Where? Northern Canadian high school students

Equipping people to make the right moves Method 2 Northern Canadian schools 2 teachers trained in Career Focusing methods & administering the ERS Total number of students: 67 (90-95%): »30% were Aboriginal »51% were female »81% were in Grade 10

Equipping people to make the right moves #1: Career Focusing significantly strengthened career decision- making skills for all students, especially female students

Equipping people to make the right moves #2: Career Focusing significantly strengthened belief in ability to perform well for all students, esp. Aboriginals

Equipping people to make the right moves Career Focusing significantly strengthened job search skills for all students, esp. Aboriginals

Equipping people to make the right moves The Evidence is In… …More research needed More data Various contexts Long term ???

Equipping people to make the right moves The Point When you equip clients to make personally satisfying career decisions – now and in the future – by using a how to career decision-making process Then you equip them with the ability to recognize work and learning that fits – every time they have to make another career decision Including the work needed in the current labour market And you teach them – for life - how to self-manage the information and work/learning option overload

Equipping people to make the right moves Outcomes They pick, they stick with their choices They become highly engaged, fully contributing members of workplaces and communities AND they are equipped to close the Skills Gap and meet employer needs PLUS they are equipped to self-direct and self- manage their career journey with confidence Single Strategy – Multiple Outcomes

Equipping people to make the right moves Conclusions Delivery Mode 3 delivers powerful and compelling outcomes Work that fits and going where the work is are not mutually exclusive. You start with work that fits At the right spot, factor in going where the work is Everyones needs are met: Employers meet their skills needs, get higher engagement and retention Individuals lower their levels of anxiety and frustration The education system increases graduation and successful transition rates Government expands it ability to meet its economic needs