Student perceptions of Career Development and Employment Services in Tafe

Abstract

Career development and employment services in TAFE perform a vital role in terms of providing students with information to make appropriate course and career choices, opportunities to gain work experience, and access to alternative sources of income. This article analyses the findings of a national study of student perceptions of career development and employment services in TAFE. The survey results show that although students rate career development and employment services among the 12 most important support services in TAFE, there is a high degree of dissatisfaction with the current level and quality of provision. The article argues that a significant improvement is required in the provision of career development and employment services if the vocational needs of TAFE students are to be satisfied and student wastage is to be minimised.