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Killeen et al 1992
Citation Text:
Killeen, J., White, M. and Watts, A. G. (1992) The economic value of careers guidance. London: Policy Studies Institute.Editorial Comment:
Focus of study
The authors surveyed research studies most of which had been conducted in the 1970s and 1980s. Most studies were UK-based, although some US studies were included.
Key findings
The authors concluded that guidance affected the learning outcomes of decisionmaking skills, self-awareness, opportunity awareness and transition skills. Guidance was found to reduce the duration of job search and unemployment; increase early job retention and reduce 'floundering' behaviour (frequent job changing which lacks direction or purpose). There was no evidence of career guidance influencing: participation in post-compulsory education and training; non-participant groups to enter the labour market; student retention and achievement; people away from areas of labour surplus; lifetime income or lifetime employment or job satisfaction.
Limited evidence resulted from insufficient studies specifically addressing the economic benefits of guidance, partly due to the difficulties of separating the impact of guidance from other effects, and of determining when the effect of guidance is felt. Evaluations that had been conducted did not consider sufficiently large samples or were deficient in terms of measurement and design.
Additional comments
Recent work suggests that effective learning processes as well as outcomes need to be evaluated.