While much progress has been made in integrating information communications technology (ICT) into career counselling and guidance practice, there is room for improvement. Existing research indicates that its successful integration into career practice is contingent on three key factors: policy support, at both the macro (government) and micro (organisational) levels; workforce capacity development, so that practitioners feel confident and competent in this aspect of their work; and for the design of ICT systems and applications that ensure that they are fit for purpose.
This presentation will consider the impact of Industry 4.0 on the way that career and labour market information is obtained, stored and disseminated in career guidance counselling practice. Using a theory of professional identity formation, it will focus on the use of technology in providing online learning support for practitioners who are, in turn, integrating technology into their services to support clients. It will highlight the potential enhancement of services provided, alongside some inherent tensions, particularly with regard to social inclusion. A particular exemple of ongoing research, funded by government in the UK, will be used to highlight the potential of this technology: ‘LMI for All’, funded by government in England, uses state-of-the-art technology to collect, and mediate the dissemination of robust, current and reliable labour market information to support career interventions. Some fundamental implications for practice will be presented.
