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Development and Validation of the Youth Career Development Competency Scale: A Study Based on Hong Kong Youth

Author

Listed:
  • Steven Sek-yum Ngai

    (Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Lin Wang

    (Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Chau-kiu Cheung

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jianhong Mo

    (Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yuen-hang Ng

    (Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Pinqiao Wang

    (Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

The challenging labor market conditions concomitant with economic globalization and advanced technology have made youth career development competency (YCDC)—young people’s ability to navigate transitions through education into productive and meaningful employment—especially important. The present study aims to develop a holistic instrument to measure YCDC in Hong Kong, which has rarely been investigated in past studies. The sample consisted of 682 youths aged 15–29 years (387 male, mean age = 19.5 years) in Hong Kong. Exploratory factor analysis of the 17-item YCDC scale resulted in four competence factors—engagement, self-understanding, career and pathway exploration, and planning and career management—which accounted for 78.95% of the total variance. The final confirmatory factor analysis results indicated good model fit (CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.06, 90% CI (0.05, 0.07), SRMR = 0.03) and good factor loadings (0.78–0.91). Moreover, the results demonstrated a satisfactory internal consistency of subscales (0.89–0.93). Subgroup consistency across subsamples categorized by gender, age, and years of residence in Hong Kong was also demonstrated. In addition, correlations between the YCDC scale and subscales with other career-related and psychosocial outcomes (i.e., career outcome expectancy, career adaptability, civic engagement, social contribution, and social integration) showed good concurrent validity. The results indicated that the YCDC scale is a valid and reliable tool for measuring career development competence among youth in the Hong Kong context. Its development sheds light on how career professionals can holistically assess young people’s navigation competence during their school-to-work transitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven Sek-yum Ngai & Lin Wang & Chau-kiu Cheung & Jianhong Mo & Yuen-hang Ng & Pinqiao Wang, 2021. "Development and Validation of the Youth Career Development Competency Scale: A Study Based on Hong Kong Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12494-:d:689479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anthony Mann & Vanessa Denis & Chris Percy, 2020. "Career ready?: How schools can better prepare young people for working life in the era of COVID-19," OECD Education Working Papers 241, OECD Publishing.
    2. Kelly Huegaerts & Bram Spruyt & Christophe Vanroelen, 2018. "Youth Unemployment and Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Embodiment," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Ledyard Tucker & Charles Lewis, 1973. "A reliability coefficient for maximum likelihood factor analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 38(1), pages 1-10, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sek-yum Ngai, Steven & Cheung, Chau-Kiu & Mo, Jianhong & Wang, Lin & Ng, Yuen-hang & Wang, Pinqiao, 2023. "Career interventions and social well-being among non-engaged youth: Examining the mediating effects of career competency," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    2. Steven Sek-yum Ngai & Chau-kiu Cheung & Lin Wang & Yunjun Li & Yuen-hang Ng & Elly Nga-hin Yu & Winnie Pui-ching Leung, 2022. "Development and Validation of the Career and Life Development Hope (CLDH) Scale among Non-Engaged Youth in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.

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