Page 103 - Guiding-at-risk-youth-through-learning-to-work-Lessons-from-across-Europe

Guiding at-risk youth through learning to work
Lessons from across Europe

Figure 5. Types of transition policy

Source: GHK Consulting, 2009.

This study has categorised two types of measure introduced by European
countries to support transition: interventions that aim to improve the career
management skills of young people; and working life familiarisation measures.
The first section introduces the concept of career management skills (CMS).
As CMS is an emerging concept, its definition and rationale are examined first.
The section then goes on to explore practical examples of approaches in
Member States to support the development of such skills. The second section
examines methods that have been employed by the study countries to give
young people the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the world of work.

6.2. Improving career management skills

There is growing recognition that career guidance practice needs to advance
from simply assisting young people to make decisions regarding certain jobs or
courses, to the much broader task of enabling and developing career
management skills (CMS) (OECD, 2004a; Sultana, 2009a). Therefore, CMS is
not just an element of career guidance but is an approach to it.
The concept and scope of career management skills vary from one EU
Member State to another, as highlighted at the EU peer learning event on the
theme, held in Vilnius in 2009 (Sultana, 2009a). Definitions vary between authors
and countries. Some see it as ‘the skills of understanding one’s own strengths
and weaknesses, and needs and wants; of being able to identify relevant
opportunities, and access information on them; of being able to take career-

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