The need for structured career guidance in a resource-constrained South African school

Background: Career guidance and counselling in secondary schools are crucial for young adolescents as they embark on the initial stages of shaping their post-school studies and career goals. Initiating career guidance as early as Grade 9 is imperative to ensure alignment between chosen subjects and future career aspirations. The study was conducted with Grade 12 learners at a resource-constrained high school in Cape Town, Western Cape. Objectives: Utilising the Systems Theory Framework (STF), we sought to explore Grade 12 learners' perceptions of the effectiveness of career guidance and counselling and its significance in shaping future career choices. Method: The study used a qualitative methodology. Semi-structured online interviews were used to gather the data, which were then analysed thematically. The study consisted of a sample size of 16 Grade 12 participants. Results: The findings indicated that learners found career guidance and counselling effective for deciding future occupations, with a preference for opportunities such as job shadowing and interactions with experts in the field of interest. However, limited access to vocational resources and a lack of structured classroom guidance led learners to conduct their own research. Conclusion: The study recommends that life orientation teachers actively engage with organisations and relevant stakeholders in providing career guidance and counselling to learners and ensure that pupils have sufficient access to career resources for effective career guidance. Contribution: These findings are a valuable resource for professionals and policymakers seeking to improve high school learners' educational experiences, providing a framework for future scholars delving into the dynamic field of career counselling.