A Market in Career? Evidence and Issues

This paper, originally prepared for the Department for education and Skills (DfES) Engaging Adults in Learning Unit, examines the potential application of market principles to the delivery of career guidance in the UK. In particular, it explores the extent to which this could be an effective means of meeting the public interest in expanding provision without making excessive demands on the public purse. The paper includes a review of the international context, a historical review of relevant policy in the UK, and the results of an initial mapping of the current UK market in career guidance provision. The paper was discussed at an invitational consultation event held in March 2005: a summary of the main points from the discussions at this event are included in an annex