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A range of IER research was presented at the recent 44th International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG) online international conference 'Maximizing Potential of Career Guidance'. The conference was attended by career guidance and counselling professionals to share research and practice on how career guidance can maximise the potential of individuals and communities, education and economies.

Along with IER Associate Fellow and Professor Maria Eduarda Duarte of the University of Lisbon, IER’s Chris Warhurst has guest edited a special issue of the British Journal of Guidance and Counselling (Vol. 49) on . Just published, the special issue examines the implications for career guidance and working life transitions in the context of rising inequalities and inclusion deficits in labour markets internationally.

Together with Deirdre Hughes, Emma Benger and Mandy Ifans, Chris Warhurst also co-authored an article in this special issue on .

As an invited panel speaker Sally-Anne Barnes joined the on 28 October, organised by the Municipality of Porto through the Cidade das Profissões in Portugal.

The panel comprising Jaana Kettunen, Daniela Lourenço, Luís Sottomayor, Artur Queiróz and Gregoire Evequoz discussed how to keep a professional employable.

Sally-Anne drew upon recent research for the European Commission on undertaken with Jaana Kettunen from the Finnish Institute for Educational Research.

The panel was hosted by Carolina Maria de Bessa Ferreira from Cidade das Profissões and moderated by Teresa Espassandim, a specialist in vocational psychology and career development.

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic and ongoing, Dr Sally-Anne Barnes and Professor Jenny Bimrose have been drawing upon their latest research to support the international careers guidance and counselling community by delivering online learning via a number of webinars.

Nearly 400 practitioners from professional associations and government departments from across the world have participated in the webinars and are drawing upon IER research to inform their practice. Webinars have covered recent research on how to support parents and carers in providing careers support, careers labour market information, and lifelong guidance policy and practice.

Since the start of the pandemic, the has described the numbers of individuals applying for Universal Credit as ‘unprecedented’ with 2.5 million applications since the lockdown in March. So with unemployment levels at an all-time high and global changes to work and labour markets as a result of the pandemic unavoidable, this is the time to think about enhancing the system of support and guidance in the UK. A system is needed that not only supports those out of work to return to the labour market, but also supports those who have had to change their role, and/or take on new roles. What seems likely is that most of those who are more able, more skilled and more adaptable will return to the labour market faster, whilst those who are less skilled and less resilient are more likely to struggle to return to the labour market.