Good career guidance helps raise aspirations. It promotes social mobility by giving young people from all socioeconomic backgrounds the tools to navigate the complex world of education, training and work. My international study for the Gatsby Foundation, published in 2014, provided answers to the question
‘What does career guidance look like when it is good?’

It has been a wonderful professional experience to be involved in the adaptation of the Gatsby Benchmarks for Hong Kong and to have first-hand encounters with Hong Kong schools. The Hong Kong Benchmarks describe clearly what schools, working with social and business partners and with parents, need to be doing to provide good career guidance to students. To provide schools with even greater clarity, I am pleased that the CLAP for youth@JC has produced this guidance, which I know will be an important and practical source of support for all involved in Phase II.

In an uncertain world, we can be sure of one thing: whatever the future of employment looks like, young people will need help to navigate the way. The Hong Kong Benchmarks for Careers & Life Development (“HKBM”) – supported by this guidance – are an important aid to this navigation. I send my very best wishes to all who use this guidance, and my thanks and encouragement to all schools participating as Network Schools.

Sir John Holman

Global Adviser to CLAP@JC and Senior Adviser to the Gatsby Foundation