Using Technology to Support Better Career Decisions for Secondary School Learners
Choosing a career pathway is one of the most important decisions learners make after secondary education. However, many students complete school without adequate information, guidance, or support to help them make informed choices about higher education, technical training, entrepreneurship, or employment.
Recognizing this challenge, the EduTech Teachers Network (ETN) hosted Episode 22 of the EdTech Exchange series under the theme:
“Guiding Every Secondary Learner into Higher Education, Enterprise or Employment.”
The session featured Mr. Simon Kawesi, founder of Career Spaces, who shared how technology can support career guidance and help learners better understand their interests, strengths, opportunities, and future pathways.
Addressing the Career Guidance Gap Among Learners
During the session, Simon highlighted the challenges many secondary learners face when transitioning from school to their next stage of life. Many students lack access to reliable information about career options, university programs, technical training opportunities, and employment pathways.
He emphasized that career guidance should not be treated as a one-time activity but rather as a continuous process that helps learners discover their abilities, explore opportunities, and make informed decisions throughout their education journey.
The discussion highlighted the important role teachers play in supporting learners by connecting classroom learning with real-world career opportunities.
Introducing Career Spaces: A Digital Career Guidance Platform
Simon introduced Career Spaces, a web-based platform designed to support secondary school learners in exploring and planning their future careers.
The platform helps learners:
- Discover their interests, strengths, and abilities.
- Explore different career pathways and requirements.
- Access information about universities and opportunities.
- Understand possible routes into higher education, technical training, enterprise, or employment.
- Engage in career exploration activities.
The platform also provides tools for teachers to monitor learner progress and engagement, enabling schools to provide more personalized career support.
Connecting Education With Future Opportunities
A key message from the session was the need to bridge the gap between education and the world of work.
Simon explained that learners need access to relevant information that helps them understand how their subjects, skills, and interests connect to future opportunities.
Through data-driven career guidance, schools can better support learners in identifying suitable pathways and preparing for their future beyond secondary education.
The Role of Teachers in Career Development
The session emphasized that teachers remain central to effective career guidance. Beyond delivering subject content, educators can help learners understand their strengths, expose them to different career options, and encourage them to develop skills relevant to future opportunities.
Participants discussed the importance of schools adopting structured career guidance approaches supported by digital tools and resources.
ETN Community Updates and Upcoming Opportunities
The session also included updates from ETN on upcoming activities and opportunities for educators.
Participants were encouraged to:
- Register for future ETN sessions and provide feedback to improve the EdTech Exchange series.
- Join the upcoming ETN workshop focusing on Artificial Intelligence, digital research, e-learning, and Learning Management Systems (LMS).
- Become members of ETN through associate, delegate, or institutional membership options.
ETN continues to create platforms where educators can connect, learn, and explore innovative solutions that improve teaching, learning, and education management.
Supporting Learners for Tomorrow’s Opportunities
As education continues to evolve, preparing learners for life after secondary school requires collaboration between schools, technology innovators, and education communities.
Digital platforms such as Career Spaces demonstrate how technology can provide learners with better access to information, guidance, and opportunities, enabling them to make more informed decisions about their future.
Through initiatives such as the EdTech Exchange series, ETN continues to promote conversations and solutions that empower educators and learners in the digital age.
Watch the Full Session Recording
The complete recording of ETN EdTech Exchange Episode 22 is available below.
About EduTech Teachers Network (ETN)
EduTech Teachers Network (ETN) is a professional community committed to advancing the effective use of technology in education through training, collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing. ETN supports educators, schools, and education stakeholders to transform teaching and learning through technology — one click at a time.
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