The present situation of high unemployment raises serious questions about the purpose and value of careers guidance. Uncertainties about careers guidance have, however, always existed. There have been doubts as to whether it is effective, what its purpose is, whether it is of any value in situations where choice is limited, and how it should see its function in relation to that of parents. These continuing uncertainties have been emphasised by the increase in youth unemployment.
One way for those involved in careers guidance to respond to this situation is by re-ex amining the importance of personal relationships with young people. Real personal relationships are not only a prerequisite of good guidance, but an important part of the guidance activity itself. The three main tasks of vocational guidance -helping young people to understand themselves, helping them to make decisions wisely, and helping them to understand the world of occupations and opportunities -all require such relationships if they are to be done adequately. Furthermore, by making and ma&ining real relationships the guidance worker may be engaging in vocational guidance in a real sense even when he is not consciously or directly performing these tasks. This form of guidance is risky for the counsellor because it is invisible and leads to no identifiable outcomes. It is also very difficult to implement in our large impersonal institutions. But an attempt to establish genuine relationships may provide both an appropriate response to the present situation of high unemployment and also an effective means of vocational guidance in all circumstances. *The views expressed in this paper are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Scottish Council for Research in Education. **Senior Research Officer, Scottish Council for Research in Education, Edinburgh. Currently completing a six-year longitudinal study of young people moving through the later stages of school and out of it, with special emphasis on curricular and vocational guidance and job opportunities. Published reports of the project: Choices and Chances, 1979, and Routes and Results, 1981 (Hodder and Stoughton). Previously did research into apprenticeships and apprentice training. Published report: Getting a 7kade, 1978 (Hodder & Stoughton).