Page 34 - euroguidance-highlights-2023-2024

engaging information to their users. Additionally, This ensures equal access to opportunities and
AI-powered chatbots can offer instant support and supports social justice. Paving the way towards a
guidance, making the portals more user-friendly. greener future Career guidance has a crucial role
in preparing individuals to face the shared global
Future Directions challenge of sustainability. The module ‘Career
Guidance and Sustainability’ addresses these glob-
Looking ahead, the Nordic and Baltic national portals al challenges that guidance professionals must
plan to continue their collaboration through regular navigate, regardless of nationality. Partaking in the
workshops and annual gatherings. These events module has had a substantial impact as the learning
will provide opportunities for further knowledge helps students understand how to create mean-
exchange and the development of new tools and ingful impact. Students completing the Diploma in
strategies. The focus will remain on leveraging AI Educational, Vocational and Career Guidance have
and other emerging technologies to enhance the embraced the relevance of the module, gained new
quality and accessibility of educational and career perspectives, built a strong professional foundation
guidance services. Plans are already in place for and experienced significant personal growth. The
webinars and a physical meeting in Vilnius in 2025.
positive feedback received from students highlights
Sustainability Perspectives in Career the relevance and practicality of this approach in
supporting both career development and a greener
Guidance: A Current Focus in Denmark future. Christina Holm, a former student, shared:
Sustainability is becoming increasingly prominent “On the module, I learned how I, as a guidance coun-
in both education and career guidance. In response sellor, can support the development of capable
to this, a module on the subject has been added to young people in my guidance practice, based on
the Diploma in Educational, Vocational and Career both the ethical principles for guidance, as well as
Guidance in Denmark. The module is called ‘Career the core of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals:
Guidance and Sustainability’ and was launched at ‘leave no one behind’.” The ‘Career Guidance and
the University College Absalon in 2023. The module Sustainability’ module at University College Absalon
emphasises the practical integration of sustainability has now become a vital component in preparing
within career guidance practices. The module has future guidance counsellors by focusing on sustain-
been well received, introducing students to a fresh ability at societal, organizational and individual level.
perspective on career guidance. Kamilla Palsgaard, Estonia Introduces New Standard
Associate Lecturer at Absalon, explains: “The feed-
back from students has been overwhelmingly pos- for Career Specialist
itive. Many recognise the importance of integrating Estonia has introduced new occupational qualifica-
sustainability into their future guidance practices. tion standards for career specialists which focuses
Given its relevance, we have expanded the sus- on four key areas. These four key areas are career
tainability perspectives into several other modules counselling, career information provision, career
within the curriculum”. Since its introduction, the education in schools and career management in
module has focussed on sustainability across three organisations. These changes mark a major step
levels that has an impact on guidance professionals: forward for Estonia, reflecting the need for compre-
The societal level Career guidance plays a key role hensive career guidance across sectors, and aligning
in supporting societal sustainability goals, in par- with broader European trends in Lifelong Guidance.
ticular to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). Guidance professionals are equipped to help Core Areas and Elective Competencies
individuals pursue education and career paths that
also align with climate objectives and the demands The new standard builds on the existing qualifica-
of a sustainable labour market. The organizational tions for career specialists, retaining four mandatory
and collaborative level. Sustainability influences competencies. These four mandatory competencies
how guidance services are structured. This level are the promotion of services, networking, service
emphasises the efficient use of resources and the development, and instruction and training. Practi-
importance of collaboration with stakeholders in tioners must also demonstrate expertise in at least
order to deliver impactful and sustainable services. one of the four key areas. This framework ensures
At the individual level, career guidance promotes that professionals can operate across a wide range
"sustainable careers" by addressing both long-term of environments, from public employment services
education and work-life balance of individuals. to educational institutions and private organisations.

34 NETWORK LEVEL ACTIVITIES