ABSTRACT
Governments around the world appear to have been captured by narrow economic imperatives driven by the desire to win in the global competition for business, jobs and profit. It is argued that the gains made will ensure the economic health of successful nation states resulting in social cohesion, individual well-being and benefits for all. In response to demands from employers for a work-ready labour force the function of education is coming under ever-closer scrutiny to ensure that the ‘right’ attitudes, skills and behaviours are being inculcated in the young. Compulsory schooling is given the task of ensuring that the needs of an emerging high skills labour market will be met by pupils who understand the benefits of a ‘free market’ and the need to become lifelong learners. Further, young people and adults are being made aware of their responsibilities as productive citizens, yet also encouraged to recognise the potential prizes on offer to those individuals who make a ‘success’ of their lives. In recent years the provision of career education and guidance has been presented as a panacea for social exclusion, the key to individual aspiration, and an essential component in ensuring that labour demands are met.
