🛠️ National Careers Week 2025 Wraps Up: A Celebration of Purpose, Possibility & Pathways 🚀
National Careers Week 2025 has officially ended, marking another extraordinary celebration of career development, opportunity, and lifelong learning across the country. With the theme “Future Frontiers: Navigating New Career Pathways,” the week-long initiative engaged Australians at every stage of life—school students, early career starters, career changers, job seekers, and those navigating their next chapter in later life.
Hosted by the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA), National Careers Week sent a powerful message: careers matter. And so does access to the right support, at the right time, to make informed decisions and meaningful transitions.
A Nation Inspired
The energy was undeniable. From bustling classrooms and TAFE campuses to community hubs, career hubs, and offices, Australians explored new opportunities, asked important questions, and reimagined their next steps.
For early-career individuals, the week provided insights into emerging industries and in-demand skills. For those in their mid-career or seeking change, the week provided opportunities for re-skilling, upskilling, and reconnecting with their passions. And for older Australians, the message was clear: it’s never too late to grow, contribute, and pursue purpose.
Inclusive and Diverse Pathways
This year’s celebration championed diversity and equity in career development. Events and resources highlighted pathways for women entering male-dominated trades, culturally responsive services for migrant communities, First Nations career journeys, and support for people returning to work after time away due to parenting, illness, or caregiving.
Career guidance was recognised as a lifelong service, not a one-time decision in school, but a set of skills and supports that benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.
Real Connections, Real Impact
Employers and industry partners played a vital role. Career expos, workplace visits, mentoring sessions, and Q&As helped demystify careers and connect job seekers of all ages with real-world opportunities.
Many used the week to explore new qualifications, investigate apprenticeships, or consider moving into sectors they had never considered before, such as aged care, cybersecurity, creative technologies, and green jobs.
Career practitioners have supported thousands of Australians in navigating these transitions, providing guidance on everything from CVs and job interviews to self-assessment tools and study options.
Career Practitioners at the Core
Behind every meaningful career moment is a career development professional who makes it possible. National Careers Week acknowledged and celebrated the contributions of these highly skilled practitioners, who support individuals through complex decisions and changing circumstances, often with limited resources.
Their work is foundational to workforce participation, social inclusion, and economic resilience.
Information, Resources and Reach
This year’s free downloadable resources, including posters, information sheets, and activity guides, was shared widely by schools, training providers, libraries, employment services, and individuals across the country. These tools supported not just students, but also career changers, return-to-work parents, and older Australians considering new roles or retirement transitions.
Digital Buzz and Creative Celebration
Social media lit up with stories, celebrations, and moments of inspiration. The #ncwau25 hashtag captured everything from student-led expos and regional industry tours to online webinars, pop-up career corners in libraries, and second-career success stories.
One of the highlights was the giveaway of 20 Jobs of the Future game packs for the most creative social posts. With so many standout entries, the judging won’t be easy!
Would you like to find out what everyone was celebrating? Just type #ncwau25 into the search bar of your favourite social media platform and dive into the inspiration. 📲✨
A Future Made in Australia
National Careers Week also became a platform for policy advocacy. It highlighted the critical need for career development to be embedded across the lifespan and reflected in national policy, from curriculum to education and workforce reform to workforce development strategies.
As Australia navigates digital disruption, climate transformation, and skills shortages, the importance of career development as a public good has never been clearer.
Gratitude and Partnerships
CICA extends a heartfelt thank you to all those who contributed to the week’s success, especially our Premier Partner, the Unique Student Identifier (USI). Their support helped amplify key messages about the value of lifelong learning and the importance of accessible, accurate career information.
We also acknowledge our Support Partner, Headspace Work and Study, whose commitment to helping young people navigate employment and education pathways added valuable impact to this year’s celebrations.
Together, our partners helped ensure that National Careers Week 2025 reached further, resonated deeper, and created lasting outcomes for people at every stage of their career journey.
Until Next Year…
National Careers Week 2025 may be over, but the momentum continues. Career development isn’t just a week-long celebration—it’s a lifelong journey. There’s always a next step, whether you’re 15, 35, or 65. And there’s always support available.
Thank you to every teacher, student, job seeker, employer, parent, practitioner, and policymaker. You are helping build a future where no one is held back or left behind.
#ncwau25
View the 2025 Wrap Up Video here
