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Foreword to 2020 Euroguidance Dear European guidance colleague,
Highlights publication
In this time of crisis it is hard to recall the world before the emergence of
COVID-19. Until early 2020 stakeholders active in education and training
were focused on preparing citizens for the jobs of tomorrow and how
to support individuals to build their skills throughout their careers. The
emergence of COVID-19 added a new dimension to this work.
The necessity of investing in skills coupled with effective career guidance
is more critical than ever. Whether still a student or already on the labour
market, every person needs the chance to engage in ongoing learning and
skills development as an enabler of employability, success, and purpose -
during and after this crisis.
For this reason the European Skills Agenda, which the Commission adopted
last July sets a strategy for European policy on skills for the next five years
(2020-2025). Investing in skills is considered an absolute priority for the EU, and this has also become
clear as the Commission made “Upskilling and reskilling” one of the flagship components of the Recovery
and Resilient Facility. Initial and continuous professional training for all and employee training can help
the current and future workforce acquire the appropriate skills – not only in view of a fair and just
transition which leaves no-one behind, but also as a measure of sustainable recovery and preparedness
for the green and digital transitions.
In March 2021, the Commission published the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. In its proposals
to put into practice principles 1 (education, training and life-long learning) and 4 (active support for
employment) of the Pillar of Social Rights, it takes forward the Skills Agenda initiatives on individual
learning accounts and micro-credentials. The Action Plan builds upon the Skills Agenda, setting a target
of 60% of adults participating in learning by 2030. Individual learning accounts can play a crucial role
in achieving this target, and the Action Plan highlights the contributions of career guidance, validation
and micro-credentials.
The new Highlights publication is once again testimony to the excellent work of the Euroguidance
Network, the national centres and their stakeholders in the area of guidance and mobility. Many of
the examples show how centres were able to adapt to the pandemic context by developing relevant
webinars and courses for guidance professionals and organising successful events, conferences and
cross-border meetings online. Fresh thinking and cooperation on e-guidance and on digital approaches
to guidance is more than ever needed to help people communicate their skills as they look for new
opportunities in a transforming labour market.
The European Commission welcomes the commitment and expertise of the Euroguidance network.
As a key actor in the area of lifelong guidance, actively developing and sharing good practices on the
competence development of guidance professionals, Euroguidance is well placed to contribute to Europe’s
path to recovery. We look forward to continued close collaboration and good results in 2021 and beyond.
Alison Crabb, Head of Unit Skills and Qualifications, DG Employment,
Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
2020 was an exceptional year. International exchange
and cooperation are at the very heart of our activities
and the Covid19 crisis affected all Euroguidance Centres
greatly. As can be seen in this publication, the Eurogu-
idance Network showed great flexibility and innovative
approaches, turning many traditionally physical events
into digital ones, and developing novel ways of sup-
porting the guidance community, both domestically and
Europe wide.
"Together we are stronger" was the heading in the
support message that the network communicated
to guidance practitioners across Europe last spring.
Through this message, we pointed out the various
digital supports that are available to the European
guidance community; in the form of webinars, on-line
courses, virtual conferences, remote study visits as well
as general news coverage and social interaction for skills development and exchange with colleagues
in other countries - experiencing mutually challenging times.
The Euroguidance Network involves more than 100 experts who are committed to facilitate the compe-
tence development for the guidance community in Europe. We are all dedicated to inspiring innovation
and facilitating professionalism in the field of guidance through the consistent international exchange
of expertise between practitioners, researchers, trainers, and policy makers. If anything, the crisis has
showed us that we live in a truly global world, where we all depend on each other and cooperation
is both essential and truly beneficial.
On behalf of all Euroguidance members, we would like to share our gratitude for the continued excellent
cooperation and encouraging feedback. Several peer-review initiatives and Euroguidance stakeholder
survey results, highlighted in this publication, confirm that we are on the ‘right track’. This feedback is
very useful in reflecting on our work and attempting to meet your needs as we envisage and plan our
future focus and activities. We are on the threshold of a new program for the next seven years and we
are looking forward to continued communication with you. Together we can develop the international
dimension of lifelong guidance.
As a network, we would not have achieved so much without you, our partners, and stakeholders. We
welcome your reading more here about some of our initiatives that took place in 2020, both in individual
national Euroguidance centres and at network level.
Thank you!
Nina Ahlroos & Margit Rammo
(Chair and Co-Chair Euroguidance Network Steering Group)
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