Career Guidance at the Joint School in Detva

The project of the Joint School in Detva presents a comprehensive system of career guidance that reflects regional needs, current labour market challenges, and the importance of developing students’ career competences. Over the long term, the school has established strong partnerships with employers, local authorities, primary and higher education institutions, as well as with the Regional Career Centre of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region. The main objective is to enhance the employability of graduates, strengthen students’ motivation towards technical and vocational education, and create favourable conditions for their personal and professional development.

The project encompasses a wide range of activities, including dual education, mentoring programmes, regular field trips, short-term placements and job shadowing for teachers, the systematic development of students’ career portfolios, professional competitions, and projects linking the school with real-world practice. An integral part of the initiative is also the development of entrepreneurial skills through activities such as organising a start-up competition, participation in the Little Philanthropists project, and the systematic support of soft skills development.

Inclusion and intergenerational cooperation with seniors in the region represent another important dimension of the project. These activities include creative workshops, IT courses, joint excursions, the revitalisation of public spaces, and community events. Career guidance at the school is not perceived as a standalone service but as a natural and integral part of everyday school life. The project is built on participation, interdisciplinarity, and long-term sustainability. Its impact is evidenced by numerous awards, tangible outputs, and the strong connection between the school, the local community, and the wider region.