Career Counsellors and the Promotion of Lifelong Learning

Abstract

Career counsellors have important roles to play in the dissemination of ideas and the changing of outdated attitudes to work and learning. Significant economic and technological changes in Australia are creating an awareness of the need for the development and maintenance of high levels of occupational skills. Engagement in lifelong learning, which is required to maintain knowledge bases and currency of skills, appears to offer benefits in terms of economic productivity. Lifelong learning also promises longer-term benefits for the individual. Results from a recent survey are used to indicate the surprising amounts of time required for high levels of skilling to be developed through on-the-job learning. Career counsellors need to disseminate these new ideas concerning maintenance of skill currency and lifelong learning to clients who may not be aware of them.