This assignment is designed to further students understanding of the job market, volunteering and the current and future trends in recruitment and the tools available to find employment. Specifically this assignment addresses the following learning outcomes:

be able to identify personal examples of key employability skills, evaluate where personal skills require development and create a plan of action

to show how skills will be developed;

be able to discuss the relationship between learning and career and life development, and apply this personally;

be able to research, appraise and explain how paid and non-paid work relates to society and the economy;

be able to identify personal career and life choices, go on to develop a strategy to achieve these, begin to apply them and appraise their efficacy; and

be able to modify personal career and life choices according to changes in personal and environmental influences.

Part 1: Examine the job marketThis section examines the current job market

Step 1: Identify at least five predicted career trends for the next five years

Step 2: In general which careers are increasing? Decreasing?

Step 3: Discuss the expected trends in this area and comment on what is driving those trends.

Part 2: Examine a paid occupationThis section examines a career that might interest you in the current job market

Step 1: Go to the ‘My Future' website (http://www.myfuture.edu.au/en.aspx ) (Yes! You may choose any another site capable of profiling careers). Open the ‘The Facts' window on the myfuture site and go to the ‘Occupation Video Search' link. Select a video from a paid occupation that interests you.Step 2: Using your chosen career and additional research answer these questions:• Give a brief description of the types of jobs you could do within this career.

• What kind of activities and tasks are you likely to undertake?

• What training/education is required to apply for a career in this industry?

• What is the likely income for a graduate? How is this income likely rise with experience?

• How could the skills from this job lead you to other jobs or other careers? Please specify which jobs or careers you think these skills would be useful in.

• In your opinion, what does this industry bring to society? Support this view with evidence.• In your opinion, what does this industry bring to the economy? Support this view with evidence.Part 3 - Examine an unpaid occupationThis section examines volunteering work that might interest you in the current job market

Step 1: Choose a volunteer organisation and answer these questions:• Give a brief description of the volunteer organisation and the job you would expect to do.

• What kind of activities and tasks are you likely to undertake in this job?

• Explain what in particular attracted you to this area of volunteering?

• What training/education is required to volunteer in this occupation?

• Is there potential to have a paid position in this area? Describe what that paid job might be.

• How could the skills from this volunteering job lead you to other paid jobs or other paid careers? Please specify which jobs or careers you think these skills would be useful in.• In your opinion, what does your chosen volunteer organisation bring to society? Support this view with evidence.

• In your opinion, what does your chosen volunteer organisation bring to the economy? Support this view with evidence.

Word Limit: 2500 words.