Page 110 - Guiding-at-risk-youth-through-learning-to-work-Lessons-from-across-Europe

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

The fundamental concept behind many career information centres is that
they work together with other key stakeholders to ensure a more cohesive
approach to delivering the support and guidance young people need to progress
to employment. Such a collaborative approach has not been easy to achieve in
most contexts and the set-up phase requires time and resources before a true
partnership can be established. Difficulties have been encountered, for example,
in Hungary although examples of local and regional multi-agency guidance
initiatives, which have been set up with Phare or ESF support, can be found.
Even relatively long-established networks, such as Connexions in the UK, still
experience practical difficulties in operating as a multi-agency partnership, and
evaluations have shown that areas in which different agencies fail to work
together show gaps in the support networks available for young people (Joyce
and White, 2004).
It is important to note that many career information centres aim to help all
young people, not just those with problems. As such they tend to be different
from many counselling services, which often serve young people (and their
families) who are encountering specific difficulties.
In many countries, youth organisations are also involved in providing
comprehensive careers advice. In Ireland, youth information centres have been
established by a network of youth organisations and they offer information to
young people on a wide number of issues, including employment matters, local
community services and education and training opportunities. A counselling
service is also available in the adult education sector to help clients assess their
current situation and look at the options open to them for the future. In Estonia, a
network of regional youth information and counselling centres (maakondlikud
noorte teabe- ja nõustamiskeskused) has been operating since 1999. In Norway,
the Youth Information Service has a broad remit of providing information, advice,
guidance and referrals to young people aged 14-20.
Turkey has a long tradition of career guidance and has a wellestablished
system of guidance and counselling services in both education and the labour
market. Over the past 50 years more than 200 guidance and research centres
(RAM) have been set up and form a distinct pillar in the Turkish guidance system.
A further 40 career information centres and 20 job and career counselling
services are run by the public employment service (ISKUR).
The RAM acts as the main coordination unit for schools in the regions and
the central administration of the Directorate for Special Education, Guidance and
Counselling (MONE). Among the various tasks that RAM perform is to provide
support to school guidance services and, more specifically, on career guidance
(organising career days or fairs) preparing for university entrance examinations,

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