Page 26 - Euroguidance-Brochure-Recent-Developments-in-Guidance-Belgium

De Stap [The Step] anno 2017
Flanders

2
De Stap is a service that provides neutral, cross-network and cross-level information on training, study programmes
and adult education, aimed at (young) adults. It is easily accessible, free of charge and without appointment.
To achieve its ambitions to be a learning environment and bustling place of activities, De Stap’s front-office moved
to De Krook and reopened March 13th 2017. De Krook is an easily accessible cultural institution and a place where
culture, life-long learning, economy and innovation come together.

De Stap also cooperates with the pupil guidance centre (CLB) reception @ De Krook. This CLB service is a cross-
network initiative by non-profit organisation TOPunt Gent, which involves 3 CLBs based in Ghent: Stedelijk CLB,
Vrij CLB, and GO! CLB. Parents and youngsters can contact the pupil guidance centre for (free) advice on health,
upbringing and education - regardless of the education network. The service is a unique partnership in Flanders.

De Stap provides training and resources on primary and secondary school education, higher education and adult
education. Every year, De Stap develops the brochure ‘De grote stap [The big step]. Secondary education in the
Ghent region’ and ‘De wijze stap [The wise step] : Adult education in 15 questions, East Flanders.’ The organisation
also supports professionals through its website, a monthly newsletter, training and presentations on primary,
secondary, higher education and adult education. Organisations are welcome to use the library to prepare for
class-based information sessions with pupils in their final year of secondary education or with adults in training or
education. De Stap participates in several initiatives run by their partners in education, employment, welfare and
culture, including meetings, workshops and fairs.

Recent Developments in Guidance - Belgium | Chapter 2 | Service Development
AIM(S)
Youngsters with a disrupted school path are at risk of
a) Investing in guidance - lifelong and lifewide learning. of dropping out without any qualification. Low-skilled
adults have li;mited labour market opportunities.
It is hard for pupils, students, adults and professionals
to select from the many options in (adult) education. For this precarious group, Stap@De Krook/Word Wijs
Several pupils, students and adults experience lack is an important link in the research, selection and
correct information on education and training possi- decision-making process when setting out a suitable
bilities, many lifelong learning options are unknown learning pathway. As a result, the learner can strengthen
and the increase in educational opportunities creates his/her position on the labour market and increase his/
more learning possibilities and learning facilities, but her social well-being. When visiting De Krook, this target
also creates obstacles by its unclear and fragmented group has access to culture and cultural experiences.
character. Designing a future-driven learning path in an
increasingly rapidly evolving high-tech society is not a c) Teaching adults digital skills and helping them to
piece of cake. become more media-aware.

b) Specific attention for groups with reduced chances Education-seeking adults with specific learning needs
to enter employment. often lack digital skills to gather targeted information
on education and training opportunities. The digital
Groups with reduced chances of finding employment inequality is clearly linked with the work situation, level
are prevented by all sorts of obstacles from finding a of education and age. This inequality is constantly
suitable proposal and participation in a ‘learning’ soci- growing and shifting from general internet use to the
ety. De Stap has experienced that mainly low-skilled use of internet applications and new social media. Dig-
people without a qualification experience problems in ital competences can strengthen/improve the (labour
finding a suitable training course. market) position.

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