Page 36 - eg-highlights-2019

2.5 National career

promotion and to support learners through this process can be applied sciences and two universities offer guidance

developing mobility for a challenge for Guidance Counsellors and support counsellor training: Oulu University of Applied
staff too.
Sciences (OAMK), Tampere University of Applied
Sciences (TAMK), Haaga-Helia University of Applied
So, what exactly is Euro-quest?
Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences
‘Euro-Quest’ is a blended learning programme, (HAMK), Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences
specific target groups targeted at ‘Transition Year’ students in Ireland (JAMK), University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and
(learners aged between 14 and 16). It comprises University of Jyväskylä (JYU).
of four online modules and is accompanied by a
The aim of the training Euroguidance Finland offers
Student Workbook and a Whole School Guidebook
for Guidance Counsellors and teaching staff. to guidance counsellor students is to provide
students with competence concerning guidance
Designed to meet the needs of Guidance Coun- to learning mobility, information on studying and
sellors and learners looking to explore mobility working abroad, tools for guidance on internation-
opportunities in Europe; it is a practical tool that alisation, information on future skills needs and
aims to plant the seed of curiosity in students statistics on international mobility. The content of
regarding mobility in Europe, equip them with the the training is agreed with the trainers from the
Euroguidance Centres often address and support It can be a challenge for students considering necessary skills to conduct independent research guidance counsellor degree programmes.
various target groups within their national activ- ‘mobility’ opportunities in Europe to find out and bust some common misconceptions that exist
ities. In this chapter, you can read about projects what’s there and to know where to start looking. around the topic. In 2019, Euroguidance Finland invited the trainers
working with clients and counsellors both online Indeed, many are completely unaware of the wide from all the guidance counsellor training units at
and offline on the topic of educational mobility. spectrum of opportunities that exist. Knowing how Euro-Quest can be delivered by the Guidance universities of applied sciences and universities
Counsellor or as part of a team of teachers who for a two-day meeting. One of the main aims
‘Euro-Quest’ resource for Irish work together with Europe as a cross-curricular of the meeting was to develop the content of
the training Euroguidance Finland provides for
Secondary Schools theme. guidance counsellor students. The trainers had
How has it been received so far?
‘Euro-Quest’ is a free to use online programme several suggestions on how to develop the training
that promotes educational mobility to students in Between February 2018 and May 2019, Euroguid- on international mobility. According to them, the
secondary schools in Ireland. It can be completed ance Ireland completed a pilot of the programme benefits of international mobility and the skills
in or out of the classroom. with 15 schools across Ireland. Feedback from one gains from international experience could be
guidance counsellors, teachers and students was highlighted more in the trainings. We also received
Why was it developed?
extremely positive. The final version was made feedback that topics such as green mobility and
Increasingly, there is demand for students with lan- available to all secondary schools in Ireland in international opportunities for those who are not
guage skills and greater international awareness. January 2020. in education could be emphasised more.
The opportunity to look beyond home shores and In the meeting, we also discussed what kind of
‘internationalise’ one’s education is now more To learn more about Euro-Quest visit expertise the teachers at guidance counsellor
valuable than ever. www.euroguidance.ie/euro-quest training units have and how this expertise could
You can contact Euroguidance Ireland at
The 2020 EU target was that, by then, at least be shared between the units and Euroguidance
20 % of all graduates should have spent a period [email protected] Finland. The teachers at the training units have all
kinds of expertise on for example career guidance,
studying or training abroad. The budget for the Training on learning mobility for ethnicized educational paths, gender-conscious
next Erasmus programme period, 2021-2027, will guidance counsellor students guidance and student welfare issues.
be over €3bn, evidencing the value placed on
educational mobility at EU level. It also emphasises Euroguidance Finland offers training on guidance The feedback Euroguidance Finland received on
the need to make the Erasmus programme more for learning mobility for guidance counsellor stu- the training on guidance for learning mobility was
inclusive. It recognises that ‘investing in people, dents. The aim of this training is to make sure valuable. The meeting gave us ideas on how to
their skills, and their knowledge will help respond that the international dimension is integrated in develop the trainings so that the trainings would
to global challenges, maintain social fairness and the guidance services provided to pupils, students support the future guidance practitioners’ compe-

drive Europe’s competitiveness’. and other clients. In Finland, five universities of tence concerning guidance to learning mobility.

36 2. EUROGUIDANCE – NATIONAL LEVEL ACTIVITIES 2. EUROGUIDANCE – NATIONAL LEVEL ACTIVITIES 37