Use of Career Assessment Processes, Models, and Tools in Career Development Services

1. Use of Career Assessment Processes, Models, and Tools in Career Development Services CDSWG Report: 2009

2. Agenda • Background • How was the study completed • Results and Next Steps

3. Background • Funded by • FLMM Career Development Services Working Group • Goals: • Understand current uses and limitations of assessment processes, models, and tools in Canadian career development practice • Understand benefits associated with existing tools • Identify gaps and areas where new work in the area of assessment may be needed

4. How was the study completed • Data collection included: • Review of relevant literature • Interviews conducted with • Career Development Services Working Group members • Key Informants • Online survey

5. RESULTS • Little consistency across Canada in the use of assessment processes, models, and tools • Tools used for purposes beyond which they were intended • Use of interest assessments at a significantly higher rate than assessments for any other purpose • Limited evidence for the use of assessment tools for measuring client change or program/service effectiveness • Some evidence of a “one size fits all” approach

6. Identified Gaps • Lack of a Canadian textbook or comprehensive resource on the topic of career assessment. • Limited formal graduate training focused specifically on career assessment. • Limited knowledge of qualification levels for standardized assessments.

7. Identified Gaps con’t • Selection of tools frequently based more on perceived effectiveness rather than research into validity, reliability, and appropriateness of norm groups. • Use of in-house or informal tools was a common theme.

8. Identified Gaps con’t Authors noted an importance of an overall model or framework to support the effective use of assessment throughout the career development process, and the availability of training in assessment tools and processes in career development. Concern was raised regarding the lack of tools and processes validated for use with diverse populations

9. Possible Next Steps and Investigation Areas • Extend data through focus groups or online forums • Create a Canadian textbook • Key informants would provide rich knowledge • Provide training that is accessible and affordable • Create a clearinghouse or forum • A meeting place for counsellor/career practitioner educators • Ensure tools are available for diverse populations

10. Possible Next Steps and Investigation Areas con’t Effectiveness of the variety of assessment processes and tools for specific purposes and client groups. Validation of commonly used standardized tools with specific target audiences. Several respondents indicated a willingness to be contacted for further information; therefore, a series of focus groups, or online forums, could extend the rich data.

11. Contact Information For full report and additional questions: Forum of Labour Market Ministers Heather Collier Director Ph. 780-427-3975 Fax. 780-427-0354 Email.Heather.collier@gov.ab.ca Carol Forster Senior Policy Analyst Ph. 780-427-4741 Fax. 780-427-0354 Email. Carol.forster@gov.ab.ca