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Learning while working
76 Success stories on workplace learning in Europe

Workers at risk of dismissal are not a homogeneous group that would
lend themselves to a one-size-fits-all approach. Individual circumstances
are important factors in shaping aspirations and abilities to manage work
transitions; these depend on gender, age and skill level (Cedefop, Sultana,
2008). There is a need to develop further career advice and guidance for
the most vulnerable groups, in particular longer-serving employees who
have not experienced a working-life change of this sort in many years. In
the current economic downturn, limited availability of alternative jobs may
allow laid-off workers to consider longer term objectives, enhance their skills
and opt for retraining and consider career shifts, such as self-employment,
provided that they have adequate guidance and financial support throughout
this period (Eurofound, 2009; Council of the European Union, 2010).
As shown by the practices detailed in the Cedefop study on socially
responsible restructuring, the effectiveness of career guidance, and of further
education and continuing training, is improved where affected workers have the
opportunity to receive continued support, as long as they are in the company,
and after being dismissed, and where the services are genuinely tailored to
their needs. Career guidance helps employees manage life changes (from
employment to retirement) and employment transitions (form one job to
another or further learning), and take informed decisions on continuing training,
based on realistic opportunities for re-employment, including enterprise start-
up. Counselling and training on self-employment and business start-ups
may be provided to those for whom this prospect seems feasible from their
occupational background and motivation. The transition from being employed
to running a business is a complex career step that requires not only initial
guidance but continuing support as well. Best examples of practice extend
support to staff under short-term contracts, employees of SMEs in the supply
chain and family members of affected workers.

6.4. Policy challenges of adult learning in socially
responsible restructuring

Career guidance in restructuring situations is affected by different countries’
variable starting points: the capacity and professionalism of career information,
advice and guidance services for adults in employment; the way employers’
social responsibilities are interpreted; and how extensive is the tradition and
infrastructure for lifelong learning. When restructuring occurs in Member
States where publicly-funded career guidance for adults is struggling to