A strong careers system is a key contributor to positive work and learning trajectories and transitions. It involves a wide range of individuals, communities and organisations from across education, employment, industry, government agencies and representative groups. Together, they provide careers education, information, advice and guidance to support people to make career decisions and transitions.

New Zealand has a National Careers System Strategy (NCSS) that sets the direction for the careers system. Over 700 stakeholders were involved in creating the National Careers System Strategy (NCSS) – which is supported by a cross-government Action Plan. This is the roadmap that will help achieve the Government’s Going for Growth Talent Pillar and deliver three strategic system shifts:

• To strengthen careers system leadership and connections
• To improve the quality and availability of careers support for all New Zealanders
• To ensure equitable access to careers information, advice and guidance.

National Careers System Strategy

National Careers System Strategy Action Plan

Different groups and the careers system

The NCSS emphasises the importance of high quality and accessible careers education, information and guidance that is relevant to all life stages. Evidence shows that an integrated and responsive careers system, starting in school and accessible through life, improves skills, employment and education transitions and outcomes.

Primary school

Career education and information in primary school aims to broaden horizons, challenge stereotypes, and allow young students to be curious and explore the world of work. This prepares students for more meaningful career conversations in secondary school.

Secondary school

Secondary school is a critical time for career development as students move from building self-awareness and exploring options through to decisions and action. Consistent career education that builds intentionally, year by year, with high quality careers information is essential to support career readiness. Research shows sustained and high quality careers education, information and support, including work exposure and work experience at ages 14–16, has positive impacts 10–15 years later, including lower rates of NEET (not in employment, education or training), higher wages, and greater job, career or life satisfaction. 

Tertiary education

Tertiary students require careers support and role modelling to navigate their chosen pathway and build employability skills. Career readiness surveys show many tertiary students are unsure about employment pathways when entering the tertiary system. Evidence shows careers support and work-integrated learning opportunities can enhance degree-aligned career readiness and post-graduation employment. First-in-family learners, who may have little experience navigating tertiary education, may need more decision-making support. 

NEET (15–24-year-olds)

Young people not in employment, education or training need the support of in-depth career interventions addressing multiple needs and barriers. This can include 1-to-1 careers guidance and wrap-around support, eg, work experience, driver licensing, being work ready. Positive, culturally informed and individualised support from career advisors, champions or mentors, coupled with work opportunities or experiences, can help provide certainty and validation of pathways.

In work

People in work face a range of decision environments. Depending on their situation and careers goals, people in work require access to advice, guidance and tailored information about what career and learning options are available, and access to the resources and opportunities to activate this advice. This includes how to identify and repackage their transferable skills to remain adaptable, access professional learning opportunities, and develop new skills through formal and informal training and community opportunities.

Not in work

This diverse group of people includes those with caring responsibilities, stay-at-home parents, and those in short- or long-term unemployment. Research shows the odds of getting a job are 2.67 times higher for people who engage in careers support. This group may need help to address barriers to re-entering the labour market but may also have low awareness of pathways, small networks and limited experiences to inform their decision. 

TEC’s role in the careers system

The TEC is New Zealand’s careers agency. We have two legislative careers functions: ​

• To provide a publicly available careers information service that includes a database of information about occupations and tertiary education and training​
• To facilitate and strengthen the connections between schools, employers and tertiary education organisations to ensure students are better prepared for employment and further education and training or both.​

Our focus is both on the careers system and careers information, including core initiatives such as Tahatū Career Navigator, our online career planning tool. ​

Our leadership role brings together government agencies, business and employers, and communities and professional bodies to strengthen our careers system, and work together to build a more integrated, coordinated and high-quality system for all New Zealanders.

Our careers initiatives

Tahatū Career Navigator

Tahatū Career Navigator is a key deliverable under the NCSS Action Plan. Launched in 2025, it provides New Zealanders of all ages with trusted careers information, tools and resources to help them explore, plan and confidently act on their career decisions. 

Tahatū Career Navigator brings together for the first time 800 career ideas, 4,000+ qualifications and nearly 100 school subjects. In addition, the Careers Practice Hub supports practitioners and wider audiences with resources and guidance to more effectively help others with their career decisions. 

Tahatū Career Navigator

Tahatū Career Navigator career practice hub

Inspiring the Future

Inspiring the Future is an evidence-based programme facilitating and strengthening connections between young people and role models from the world of work. Engaging with role models in early education is proven to challenge stereotypes, improve engagement and build interpersonal skills. Inspiring the Future currently has 1,200 role models and has completed over 450 events, facilitating 30,000+ interactions between young people and the world of work.

The programme is now extending into secondary schools, providing essential opportunities for older students who are making career decisions to engage with a wide range of role models and career conversations. This type of real-life engagement supports young people to build their career readiness and better prepare for their futures.

Inspiring the Future

Further information on TEC’s role in the careers system:

Careers System