Page 22 - Guiding-at-risk-youth-through-learning-to-work-Lessons-from-across-Europe

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

2. Guidance context

The need to improve the provision of guidance has been recognised in European
policy on lifelong learning, social inclusion, early school leaving, and individual
sectors of education and training (vocational, higher and adult education and
training). Progress has also been monitored at European level and it has been
stressed that there is still more to be done. Funding has been made available to
support further action.
Against the background of pan-European commitment to improving guidance
services, this study begins by examining mainstream policy and provision of
guidance services to young people. In a brief review of mainstream guidance
availability and accessibility for young people, a context is identified in which the
targeted measures described in the following chapters are delivered. It is also
important to highlight the role played by mainstream career guidance services in
aiding the transfer from education to employment.
The EU context is described in more detail and is followed by a section
outlining Member State responses in terms of mainstream guidance provision
delivered in schools and by education providers, as well as by public employment
services.

2.1. EU policy

Assisting Europe’s youth to make a smooth transition into work and giving them
the skills to manage their career paths through their working lives is a priority for
the European Commission and the Member States. European cooperation in
education and training has paid significant attention to the contribution of
guidance (Watts, 2006). Education, training and employability were recognised
by the European Lisbon Council in March 2000 as integral to economic and
social policies. Since the Lisbon Council meeting, the European Commission and
the European Council of Ministers have highlighted the importance of high quality
lifelong guidance provision in a series of different communications, declarations
and resolutions. The Commission’s 2001 Communications on lifelong learning
(European Commission, 2001b), the 2002 Council resolution on lifelong learning,
and the 2004 Joint Interim Report of the Council and the European Commission
on the Implementation of the Lisbon strategy, all confirmed guidance as a priority

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