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Career Guidance in the Life Course – Structures and Services in Germany
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tion. This shows that not all students who passed the Abi- Career counsellors from the EA offer individual
tur (A-level) take up their studies immediately (BiBB, 2014). career counselling to pupils and school leavers both in the
employment office but also on a regular basis on the school’s
3.2 Career guidance in secondary schools premises. They give class lectures on vocational orientation,
by Employment Agencies (EA) workshops and seminars, and organise class visits to the
Career Information Centre (BIZ). At the BIZ they also arrange
The provision of vocational guidance for youth and adults career fairs and career-related lectures and seminars. In ad-
in relation to all issues of career choice and career develop- dition, they support teachers who are responsible for school
ment and the relevant educational paths is a legal task of guidance in all matters related to career education and ca-
the Employment Agencies (Social Code III, §§ 29–33). This reer orientation. These services are provided both in lower
particularly includes vocational counselling and career ori- and upper secondary schools. The co-operation of schools
entation for pupils in schools. and guidance service of the EA is regulated through a for-
mal agreement between the Federal Employment Agency
Career education in secondary schools is gen- and the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education
erally supported by career counsellors from the EA. The and Cultural Affairs of the Länder (KMK), complemented by
reason for this unusual practice, compared to most other agreements at Länder level (KMK 2004).
countries, is the importance of the German apprentice-
ship training system for the vocational qualifications of Besides the co-operation with educational institutions,
a majority of school leavers. Choosing a career and an the guidance work of the local EA is closely linked with the
occupational field linked to in-company training are more chambers of commerce and crafts, employers’ organisations,
effectively done if they are supported by guidance counsel- trade unions and other public institutions. The EA also collab-
lors who have expertise in labour market issues and have orates with the social and youth welfare department and with
close connections with training companies and employers. organisations and agencies for people with special needs.
The local Employment Agencies therefore offer a service Through local networks on vocational orientation and guid-
combining guidance, individual counselling and placement ance common one-stop-shops so-called Youths Vocational
into apprenticeship training places. This benefits not only Centers (Jugendberufsagenturen) are increasingly set up to
young people but also employers hiring apprentices be- enable “custom-made transitions”. This involves better sup-
cause it facilitates their recruitment. port for disadvantaged pupils and prevention measures on
drop-out. Such approaches also serve the implementation
of the European Youth Guarantee.

A wide variety of printed and online media on
careers, training opportunities, study programmes and
labour market information as well as self-assessment tools
which is provided by the Federal Employment Agency is
available in the BIZ but also in schools and online.

In addition, the local employment agencies have spe-
cial Psychological and Medical Services which offer
– in case of necessity – psychological testing and assess-
ment by professional psychologists as well as medical
examinations to assess mental and physical aptitude for
particular training pathways or occupations. These special
services are used on the recommendation of counsellors,
in particu lar to support the career choices and career de-
velopment of target groups with special needs (e.g. disa-
bled and/or disadvantaged persons).

The service is complemented by special support
measures for the youth and financial support schemes
for apprentices as well as for target groups with special
needs (e.g. for rehabilitation, work experience, internships,
and courses of vocational preparation).