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A career advice helpline: a case study from South Africa

  • Patricia Flederman
Article
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Abstract

This case study presents the new career guidance helpline managed by the South African Qualifications Authority in South Africa, a middle-income country. The National Qualifications Framework and Career Advice Helpline represent a national equity-driven initiative using technology to expand access. The model has drawn on contemporary international research and models of innovative systems, while modifying the design for local relevance. It illustrates the need for broadening the parameters in the career guidance profession.

Keywords

Career development Developing country Helpline 

Résumé

Une assistance téléphonique visant des conseils professionnels: une étude de cas en Afrique du Sud. Cette étude de cas présente le nouveau service d’assistance téléphonique d’orientation professionnelle (Career Advice Helpline) géré par l’African Qualifications Authority en Afrique du Sud, un pays à revenu intermédiaire. Le National Qualifications Framework ainsi que le Career Advice Helpline représentent une initiative nationale axée sur l’équité utilisant la technologie dans le but d’élargir son accès. Le modèle s’est inspiré de la recherche internationale contemporaine et des modèles de systèmes innovants, tout en modifiant sa conception pour être pertinent au niveau local. Il illustre la nécessité d’élargir les paramètres dans les activités de conseil en orientation.

Zusammenfassung

Eine Hotline für Berufsberatung: Eine Fallstudie aus Südafrika. Diese Fallstudie stellt die neue Hotline für Berufsberatung der South African Qualifications Authority in Südafrika vor, einem Land mit mittlerem Einkommen. Der Nationale Qualifikationsrahmen und die Hotline für Berufsberatung stellen eine nationale Eigenkapital-Initiative zum Einsatz von Technologie für die Erweiterung von Zugang dar. Das Modell basiert auf zeitgenössischer internationaler Forschung und Modellen von innovativen Systemen, unter gleichzeitiger Abänderung des Designs für lokale Relevanz. Es verdeutlicht die Notwendigkeit, die Parameter in der Profession der Berufsberatung zu erweitern.

Resumen

Línea de Asesoramiento para la Orientación Profesional: Estudio de Caso en Suráfrica. Este estudio de caso presenta la nueva línea de atención teléfonica de asesoramiento (helpline) para la orientación profesional, gestionada por la Autoridad de las Cualificaciones Surafricana, en Sur África, un país con nivel de ingresos económicos medio. El Marco de Cualificaciones Nacional y la línea de Asesoramiento de la Carrera representan una iniciativa nacional, dentro de las políticas de equidad, que usa la tecnología para aumentar la accesibilidad a la orientación profesional. El modelo se ha basado en la investigación internacional y los modelos de sistemas innovadores, modificando el diseño en función del contexto para que sea relevante y significativo en el ámbito local. Este ejemplo refleja la necesidad de ampliar los parámetros de la profesión orientadora.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Claremont Consulting Inc.AlexandriaUSA
  2. 2.Claremont Consulting Inc.Western CapeSouth Africa

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