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This review aimed to identify the tenets of best practice in career education and development within Australian schools. Analysis of 13 articles revealed that career education and development is increasingly recognised as the critical transitional mechanism for young people. An embedded, whole-school approach with services tailored to the individual, school, community and culture was a central theme. Furthermore, one-on-one counselling by appropriately resourced and qualified professionals, provision of experiential learning opportunities, and the inclusion of activities aimed at inspiring students and equipping them with the skills of forethought, reflection, flexibility and decision-making were also critical. Designing a perfect model of delivery or theoretical framework is untenable, but identifying attributes of exemplary practice provides a basis for improvement and adaptation to students and contexts with differing needs. Opportunities for future research are also discussed briefly.

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IntroductionCurrent gendered health disparities impacting the wellbeing of boys and young men require new early intervention-focussed approaches. Health promotion programs developed with young men’s health needs and preferences in mind commonly report positive outcomes. Male-specific rite of passage programs aim to formally acknowledge the life-stage transition from boyhood to manhood through a holistic focus on identity, community, and social responsibility. While these programs are growing in popularity, there is limited data available on their effectiveness. MethodsThis study undertook a pilot evaluation of the Making of Men rite of passage program in a sample of second-ary school boys (n=61, age M=16.0, SD=0.5) and their accompanying fathers or male mentors (n=47, age M=52.1, SD=5.8 years) providing non-matched pre-test, post-test, alongside follow-up data for participating boys. Qualitative interviews were also undertaken with 15 individuals (5 mothers, 6 staff members, 4 fathers). ResultsQuantitative program feedback indicated acceptability, with most respondents providing positive feedback, particularly from participating fathers. Exploratory quantitative effects indicated potential improvements in subjective social support and open communication among boys. Fathers appeared to report lower confor-mity to traditional masculine norms post-program, in addition to more open communication. Qualitative interviews identified three main themes: enabling relational bonds, creating a men-specific context, and supporting developmental transitions. ConclusionsPositive program acceptability and promising outcome effects highlighted the present rite of passage program as a promising mechanism for supporting healthy masculine identity development among adolescent males.

Acknowledgements:We wish to thank Nick Carter for the provision of his expertise and knowledge in the development of the centre, Cameron Czerczyk who worked on this project as part of a work placement and Saville and Holdsworth Limited (SHL) for generously donating the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) for use in the project. AbstractWork placements as a form of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) are widely recognised for the positive impact they have on improving the employability and work readiness of students. Assessment Centres (ACs) are typically used in corporate settings for recruitment, selection and more recently to provide developmental feedback to participants.The present project aimed to evaluate the application of AC methodology as a tool for measuring and subsequently enhancing professional competencies in a sample of postgraduate students in organisational psychology (n=15). A longitudinal design was utilised with numerous evaluation points from work placement stakeholders. This paper presents the first wave of findings. Students undertook a range of activities, including an in-tray exercise, a role play, a written report and a leaderless group discussion. Comprehensive feedback was provided to the students by Organisational Psychologists who also fulfil the role of Placement Co-ordinators. With the assistance of the Placement Co-ordinators, students prepared development plans relating to the competencies identified as requiring development. These development plans were to be addressed whilst on consecutive work placements. Initial perceptions gathered from students with regards to their participation in this initiative were very encouraging. Whilst based on a limited sample, the performance evaluations collected to date, as measured by behaviourally based ratings scales completed by the students themselves and their organisational supervisors, illustrate the positive effect of this methodology. The ongoing application of AC methodology as a process to enhance development planning, placement outcomes and work readiness for postgraduate students is discussed.