Career Advisory Network launched

An initiative aimed at providing support for career advisers, guidance counsellors and other aspects of career planning was officially launched yesterday by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector.

The National Career Advisory Network is designed to afford Barbadians more career opportunities, improve labour productivity and offer a greater quality of life to workers.

Described as an interconnecting of education, training and employment, the network brings together career advisers from various sectors with the goal of making career planning accessible to everyone.

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Faye Prescod, said it would be a game changer in helping people find work that is productive, rewards their effort and offers fair income to provide a stable environment.

“Career counselling is the vital road map that turns this mission into a personal reality for every individual. It’s about more than just fixing a résumé; it’s about ‘freedom’ by giving you the clarity to choose a path you actually enjoy, and ‘equity’ by ensuring every Bajan has access to the same professional advice to get a fair shot at success.

“When a person is guided into a role that truly fits their talents, they gain the ‘security’ of a stable career and the ‘human dignity’ of knowing their work is respected.

“By helping people identify not just a job, but a vocation that matches their skills and values, they become motivated employees and employers and this leads to greater productivity,” she explained.

Prescod said the launch of the network came at a pivotal crossroad where the nature of work was fundamentally changing following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She added that in this environment, career guidance must be woven into every stage of life, from primary school to retirement.

“By doing so, we don’t just fill vacancies, we build a resilient and empowered nation. At the heart of [the network] is the belief that effective guidance requires a united effort. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can ensure that all Barbadians access support tailored to the needs of our evolving market,” she said.

Prescod added that many of those characteristics were already in motion under The Job Start Plus Programme, which is equipping young people through a three-week “World of Work” training programme that focuses on the career planning process.

“The training exposes them to the world of work, with personalised career plans and the confidence to pursue meaningful career development and personal growth.”

Prescod expressed the hope that as the platform evolved, stakeholders would share their expertise and use the network to amplify their collective impact. ( JRN)

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