Using career counselling with group life design principles to improve the employability of disadvantaged young adults. Issue 2 (4th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maree, Jacobus G.; Gerryts, Erna W.; Fletcher, Lizelle; Olivier, Joyce
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychology in Africa. Volume 29:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 110
• Page End: 120
• Publication Date: 2019-03-04
• Subjects: employability -- career adaptability -- career counselling -- socio-economically challenged -- unemployed -- young adults; Psychology -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Black people -- Latin America -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Black people -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Psychology -- Periodicals; 155.8496
• DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2019.1594646
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-0237

Abstract

Abstract : This article explores the effects of group life design counselling on unemployed young adults' career adaptability skills. Purposive and criterion sampling were used to select 62 participants involved in a skills programme (mean age = 24.86 years, SD = 6.38 years). A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test comparison group-design, embedded in an intervention framework, was used to gather data. Intervention occurred in the quasi-experimental group. Paired t-tests were used to compare the difference between the pre- and post-test scores obtained on the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS). The scores on career concern and career control, as well as the total score on the CAAS, of the quasi-experimental group increased after the intervention. The results suggest that group career counselling interventions with life design principles enhanced the career adaptability in participants as a core element of employability. Future research should focus on more longitudinal research and tracing the long-term progress of participants to establish the value of the approach for diverse clients in (individual and) group contexts.