Objectives:

1. To familiarize participants with the concept of Labour Market Information.
2. To understand the role of the career practitioner/counsellor.

Suggested Time: 45 minutes

Materials: Overhead projector, overheads, screen

Two flipcharts, felt pens

Federal and provincial resources (e.g. in B.C. the B.C. Resource Guide, and B.C. Economy Compendium

text reference: Making Career Sense Chapter 5

Content and Process:

Part 1:

1. 1. Introduce this activity by defining Labour Market Information (LMI) (OVERHEAD 48):

1. Labour Market Information is information concerning conditions in, or the operation of, the labour market.
   • This information may be statistical or narrative in character.
   • It may relate to historical, current or projected circumstances.
   • Particular types of labour market information include data on employment and unemployment, job vacancies, qualifications, compensation, working conditions, etc.
   1. Write on one flipchart: WHAT USES, and on the other: WHO USES. Ask participants to brainstorm possible uses of Labour Market Information. Write responses on flipcharts. Then ask participants, who are some of the people that use Labour Market Information.
2. There is a wide range of uses of LMI for business, industry, statistical, economic, government, educational institutions and members of the labour force. LMI is used by many people including employers, business people, economists, students, clients, community developers, to name a few. ( DISCUSSION)
   1. Point out that the focus of the session is in examining LMI that is useful in a job search or in career decision making.
3. Part 2:
   1. Divide the group into four small groups. Hand out the worksheet "Using LMI in Career and Employment Counselling." (HANDOUT 44). Ask the groups to discuss the following questions (10-15 minutes):
   • Do you think that the increase of information and the ever-changing labour market have led to a change in the role of the career practitioner? Why?
   • What do you think the expectations are of the clients/students with reference to the employment counsellor?
   • What do you think the most important skill is to pass on to clients regarding Labour Market Information?
   1. Ask small groups to report back.
   2. Write "INFORMATION BROKERS" on the flipchart. Ask the groups to come up with a definition of information brokers. (DISCUSS)
4. Discuss how those providing career services are becoming information brokers.
5. Emphasize how those providing career services need to develop strong research skills in order to locate appropriate sources of labour market information, both published and unpublished. But most important, they need to pass on these same basic skills to their clients/students. (DISCUSSION)

1. Summarize by presenting the three tasks that the practitioner and client/student have to complete together. Short LECTURETTE (about 5-10 minutes)

List of Handouts and Overheads used in this section:

OVERHEAD 48
Definition of LMI

OVERHEAD 49
Labour Market Information

HANDOUT 44
Using LMI in Career and Employment Counselling