Understanding career pathways for people in regional, rural and remote Australia

The National Careers Institute (NCI), within the then Department of Education, Skills and Employment, commissioned Outpost Consulting to study career influences and the impacts of labour market relocation for Australians in regional, rural and remote areas. The NCI wanted to understand how to design research, policy and programs that help people living in, or moving to and from, these areas make informed career choices and pursue their aspirations.

We began with an extensive environmental scan of Australian and international literature, current policies, programs and services, and relevant data, supported by expert interviews. Further research then explored gaps the scan identified, including mid- and late-career support, lifelong use of career services, local workforce planning, entrepreneurship and technology-enabled service delivery. A sensemaking workshop with Department representatives tested the findings. Our final report examined what the findings meant at each stage of the career journey and recommended actions for the NCI to address gaps in knowledge, policy and services.