An international careers perspective in our own back yard

Media release 22 August 2008

Transforming Careers – Unleashing Potential: that’s the focus of the International Careers Conference being hosted by Career Services in Wellington in November 2009. 

"This event will showcase the latest in career development practice and policy and provide a fantastic opportunity for New Zealanders and international delegates to share and learn," Career Services Chief Executive Lester Oakes says.

"We’re inviting people from the education, employment, government, careers and business communities to register their interest as the official website goes live today," Mr Oakes says.

The themes of the conference include: the changing nature of the workforce, best careers practice in learning and workplace settings, the role of the citizen and community, technological advances and understanding the needs of indigenous and migrant communities. 

This international gathering is not limited to those who work directly in education or career development.  "It’s an invaluable opportunity for a wide range of people with an interest in social and economic development who want to find out more about how quality work in life choices are increasingly important. We believe that employers, unions, industry representative organisations, HR and recruitment specialists as well as central and local government will all enjoy exploring new ideas and thinking," Mr Oakes says.

"This conference is the place to be in 2009 - it’ll give New Zealand delegates a unique opportunity to showcase our can-do attitude to career development to the international delegates.  Best of all, it’s being held right here in our own back yard in Absolutely Positively Wellington!"  Mr Oakes says.

The following organisations have confirmed their support for the Conference:

• Principal partners: Ministry of Education, Department of Labour, Ministry of Social Development and Te Puni Kōkiri. 

• Industry partners: Careers and Transition Education Association (CATE) and Career Practitioners Association of New Zealand (CPANZ).

To register your interest in attending this November 2009 conference, visit www.careers.govt.nz/conference2009.  A call for papers will be posted on the website later in September, and registrations will open in November this year.

Ends

For more information please contact:

Wendy Goldswain
wgoldswain@careers.govt.nz
04 381 5825
027 548 4568

Career Services is New Zealand’s leading provider of free and independent careers information, and advice - helping New Zealanders to make the best decisions about jobs, training and study. A crown agent, Career Services provides services and resources to more than 576,000 people annually, largely by Internet and telephone.

Career Services’ services and resources are relevant to all New Zealanders, including school and tertiary students, people of all ages who are entering tertiary education, trade training or work, adult workers considering a change in the direction of their careers, and migrants and refugees.