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A certified guidance councillor must obtain a specific licence from the Ministry of Education,
Science and Culture. According to Act number 35/2009, only people who have completed
a relevant university education in the field of guidance and counselling can apply for such
certification.
A master’s degree for counsellors is offered at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the
University of Iceland; the same degree for all those who wish to become counsellors,
whether in schools or at the labour market. The necessary pre-requisite is a B.A., a B.Ed. or
a B.S. degree. Some counsellors employed in Iceland have received their education abroad,
in countries like Canada, the United Stated, or in one of the Nordic countries.
Continuous education and guidance training counsellors exists in various forms; both at
the University of Iceland and offered by the Icelandic Educational and Vocational Guidance
Association in the form of lectures and seminars on specific relevant issues. Annually, the
Association celebrates the Day of the Counsellor, where attention is drawn to a relevant topic
for all counsellors. The Euroguidance Centre offers an annual course for counsellors which
guides those who want to study or work abroad, and also holds an annual conference on
subjects related to guidance.
In a broad sense, guidance has mostly been the responsibility of the Ministry of Education,
1. Overview Science and Culture whereas the Ministry of Social Affairs has developed vocational
guidance within the Public Employment Services. Other actors who have influenced the
development of guidance include local authorities, experts in the field of guidance, trade
Educational and vocational guidance in Iceland is offered both in schools and on the labour unions, the confederation of employers, and various other associations, such as the
market. Counselling within the educational system has been the most dominant factor Icelandic Educational and Vocational Guidance Association.
over the years but vocational guidance at Public Employment Services, Lifelong Learning
Centres, Vocational Training Centres, and at workplaces has grown considerably in recent The division of guidance affairs is based upon different users, different subjects, different
years. settings and different ways of funding. No formal channels exist in the co-operation of
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