Aboriginal career aspirations program: school and community career education. A report and discussion on a NSW Board of Studies project

A pilot program in New South Wales (Australia) aimed to engage Aboriginal students in the education process by making school more interesting and relevant to them specifically. The project used career education and Aboriginal perspectives to achieve these objectives. The development of aspirations within students was central, and it was hoped that raising Aboriginal students' awareness of careers and the role of education and training in relation to employment would increase their attendance and retention. The project encouraged the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives through consultation and participation by Aboriginal parents and community,culturally inclusive resources and materials, and Aboriginal guest speakers and facilitators. It was expected that the aspirations of parents and community would be enhanced as a result of involvement with the program.Twelve secondary schools in New South Wales participated in the project,implementing the program to suit their own needs. Not all schools were successful in implementing the project. School staff varied in their recognition of the need for specific Indigenous programs, their understanding of the extent of career education, and their attitudes toward inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives. The program's potential to impact Aboriginal student attendance and retention was unclear. Three critical issues were identified:greater understanding and recognition of the issues faced by Aboriginal students and communities are necessary for programs such as these to succeed;career education warrants greater attention in curriculum development initiatives and in school programs for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students;and successful program implementation is largely dependent on "ownership" by school staff.