Career education at Strathcona Girls Grammar will have a national link following the election of the school’s head of careers and pathways, Xin Chen (pictured above), to the Board of the Australian Centre for Career Education (ACCE).
The appointment gives Strathcona a direct line into national policy conversations. This comes at a time when careers education is under growing scrutiny from school leaders and governments alike.
Chen’s role at Strathcona includes overseeing initiatives designed to give students greater exposure to different study and employment pathways. The school’s careers program incorporates workplace experience, industry mentoring and digital literacy alongside more traditional careers guidance.
That breadth is increasingly what education decision-makers are looking for. New research published in July 2026 found that half of young Australians are choosing career paths based on financial safety rather than genuine interest. This reinforces the case for more structured, practitioner-led careers education that responds to changing workforce needs.
Chen’s appointment to the ACCE Board will see her contribute to the organisation’s work with career practitioners and educators nationally, with a particular focus on how careers education responds to changing workforce needs.
A national voice for career practitioners
“I am deeply honoured and excited to have been elected as a Director of the Australian Centre for Career Education Board. I am committed to advancing culturally responsive and equitable career education that reflects the diverse aspirations of all students,” Chen said. “I am also passionate about integrating innovative, future-focused approaches that prepare young people to thrive in an evolving world of work.”
Her appointment also comes as Victoria increases its focus on career education and pathways. The state’s 2026–27 Budget allocated $144.7 million to the area, while the Victorian Department of Education is funding 600 ACCE memberships for career practitioners in government secondary schools this year.
Inside the ACCE’s national role
The ACCE represents career development practitioners across Australia and provides professional resources, supports industry standards and works with educators involved in careers and pathways programs.
For school principals and senior leaders, the organisation’s work has practical implications. The ACCE sets professional standards for careers practitioners and provides the resources and networks that underpin quality guidance. How well-equipped advisers are directly shapes the post-school outcomes students achieve.
The board appointment follows Chen being named Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) 2026 Innovative Educator at its Career Practitioner Seminar in early 2026.
The ACCE was founded in 1975 as the Career Education Association of Victoria before developing a national focus. Its board meets every six weeks and comprises four executive committee members, four directors and the chief executive.
What the appointment means for schools
Strathcona Girls Grammar principal Lorna Beegan said the appointment would also give Chen an opportunity to share her experience with careers practitioners outside the school.
“Xin’s appointment to the ACCE board is an excellent reflection of the calibre of career and pathways education we’re proud to offer at Strathcona. This role will allow her to share her extensive expertise with career practitioners across the country,” Beegan said.