This publication (2008) written for the CfBT by Dr Deirdre Hughes is situated in UK policy aims of increasing the participation of young people in further education and training in the UK with specific targeted increases for years 2013 and 2015. In particular the publication examines how the impact of information, advice and guidance services can be assessed in assisting the achievement of such targets. This is an important question facing policy-makers, service delivery managers, practitioners and as well as the concerned public.

While written for a UK audience, the text is an excellent source of knowledge and information on general issues concerning evidence, its nature and collection, and on possible policy performance indicators. Its chapters cover:

• key questions about evidence
• the evidence base
• strategies, tips and tools for measuring and assessing the impact of careers and guidance-related interventions
• the customer voice-personalisation.

A very useful glossary of terms is provided in Appendix 2. Highly recommended.

This report (2004) by Chris T King and Sarah Looney of the Ray Marshall Centre of UTA contains a discussion of 30 workforce development performance measures generated by several US states for 7 areas of interest to policy and program leaders and rated by them for usefulness.

The seven areas are: outcomes for employers and the economy; labour market outcomes for program participants; social welfare outcomes; customer satisfaction; skills gains; return on investment; and sub-group and comparative information. A One-Stop Career Centre was one of the features of services examined in this context.

In their review of the measures, the authors used the following lenses: rationale; feasibility; accuracy; validity; systems focus; time frames; and definitions.

While career development services were only one of the program features examined, the lenses used by the authors can be of value to policy makers/developers, delivery service managers, researchers, and leaders of the career guidance community in the search for meaningful policy performance indicators.

This policy brief (2005) by Sarah Looney and Chris T King provides backround to the movement to develop a standard set of performance measures for publicly funded programmes that comprise the US workforce development system. It also reviews two prominent US proposals: common measures proposed by the Office of Management and Budget , and the measures of the Integrated Performance Information Project.

While not specifically dealing with the performance indicators for career guidance/development services and programmes, the content of the policy brief has pertinence for such discussions in the USA and beyond. 

This article, written by Dr Jim Sampson of Florida State University and delivered as a presentation at the IAEVG conference in Jyvaskyla in June 2009, examines two elements of policies for career guidance: the effectiveness of career guidance interventions in relation to cost and access to such interventions by citizens. It commences by identifying the different elements of career guidance and proceeds to examine the translation of career theory to practice, the effectiveness of career guidance interventions, and the access people have to career guidance. Collaborative counselling is proposed as an intervention to improve access. The paper ends with a discussion on how to balance effectiveness and access in career guidance delivery.

In his preparation of this paper, Prof Sampson noted the lack of a comprehensive and consistent evidence base for career guidance interventions and the little or no attention paid to integrating career theory, public policy, and the cost-effectiveness of career guidance interventions.

This is a recently signed agreement between the Australian federal government and the States and Territories of Australia. It is designed to address the objectives of the National Education Agreement and the National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development already signed by the same parties.

The new agreement covers the engagement of young people aged 15 to 24 with learning, work, employment and the transitions involved, particulary to improve outcomes in educational attainment. There is special reference to social inclusion aims, especially for the indigenuous disadvantaged. Its overall aim is to better align federal, State and Territory programmes and services related to youth, career and transitions. Under the agreement the States and Territories will gradually assume primary responsibility for career guidance activities.

The agreement sets out indicative actions and outcomes for the following reform areas:

• multiple learning paths
• career development
• mentoring
• school, business, community partnerships
• individualised, personalised support for young people at risk.

It also sets out performance indicators and benchmarks for the agreement.

This Agreement is one example of how federal and regional governments can share the responsibility of career guidance provision and of the devolution of power to the regions with performance indicators.

The Climbing Frame is an electronic tool developed by Unionlearn, an organisation established by the Trades Union Congress in the UK to help Union Learning Representatives to promote lifelong learning in the workplace and to assist members to access learning opportunities.

The Matrix Standard is a unique quality standard to support the effective delivery of information, advice and guidance wherever it takes place. It has been found useful by trade unions in benchmarking and developîng learner support initiatives in the workplace

This guide (2009) brings these two frameworks together, showing how they complement each other and the benefits of this complementarity in delivering high quality support to learners.