Barriers to employment are linked to individual factors such as thinking styles and personality traits. Personality and cognitive differences between employed (n = 55) and unemployed (n = 57) cohorts were analysed to quantify the association between these variables and employment status. Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the…

A survey of 371 unemployed people in South East Queensland explored whether deprivation of the latent benefits of employment was able to predict psychological distress after controlling for other key correlates. A standard multiple regression found that the latent benefits (time structure, social contact, collective purpose, enforced activity, and…

In this article the five career narratives of three siblings and two unemployed men are drawn upon to critically examine the use of contemporary career discourse as a means to negotiate changes to work since the 1980s and to the present time. A critical analysis enables contemporary career discourse and workplace change to be located within the…

The voices of secondary school students describing their experiences of school-based career counselling services are reported and discussed. Arising from the students' narratives and school-based career counsellors' descriptions of their services, a continuum of service delivery is conceptualised that highlights features of career service…

The aim of this study is to examine gender differences in the impact of the "Work for the Dole" program on wellbeing and access to latent benefits. Previous studies have shown gender differences in coping and responding to stressful situations, and the vocational interests and psychological responses to participation in personal development…

Based on a keynote address to the 2006 Annual Conference of the Australian Association of Career Counsellors, this article reviews a number of significant international developments in public policy for career development. It also comments on some recent developments in Australia. Finally, it discusses four strategic issues that are important to…

International, European and UK policy documents have recently drawn attention to the strategic importance of career guidance for lifelong learning and the labour market. However, there are gaps in the evidence relating to its positive impacts. A five-year research study is currently underway in England, which is examining the exact nature of…

Consistent with calls for a greater marketing emphasis to be included in career counselling practice, this study uses marketing concepts to explore the relationship between the expectations people in career transition have of a career counselling service and the perceptions career counselling service providers have of these expectations. The study…

The availability of flexible work options provides an opportunity for individuals to shape their careers in order to optimise their work and life goals. This study takes a systems theory approach to examine how the use of flexible work options influences relationships and interactions in the workplace. The "Flexible Work Options Questionnaire"…

In recent years, career theory and practice has been challenged to revise and reinvigorate itself in order to remain relevant in the post-modern world. The most fundamental challenge is to produce an identity for career practice that is congruent with the post-modern world (Watson & McMahon, 2005). Career research is facing a similar challenge as…

School leavers are aspiring to professional occupations in significant numbers. The availability of careers in the professions is considerably less than the numbers of aspirants. Those providing career counsel to school leavers are critically placed to provide the structure and information that will assist young people develop career plans that…

The International Symposium 2006, titled "Shaping the future: Connecting career development and workforce development," was the third international forum of senior government policy makers, experts in the field of career development and employers. Attended by teams of delegates representing 22 countries and six international organisations, the…

This paper provides an overview of the career development industry in Australia, noting the achievements in the industry since the 1999 Symposium, and linking the current Australian situation to the 2006 Symposium themes of human capital, labour supply, employability skills, career development services for workforce development, older workers, and…

The International Symposium of Career Development and Public Policy 2006 is the third international forum of senior government policy makers and experts in the field of career development. It focuses on the connections between career development and workforce development. It is committed to shaping the future by examining and articulating the…

This article presents the highlights of the Third International Symposium on Career Development and Public Policy, which was held at the Manly Pacific Hotel in Sydney, Australia from April 21-24, 2006. This symposium built on those held in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1999 and 2001 respectively and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and…