Page 5 - euroguidance-insights-autumn-2020

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When you cannot work, how about studying?

The summer of 2020 was as unusual in Iceland as it was in most other countries. The service and tourism
sector, which usually employs a large number of young people, was in partial lockdown, and several
businesses were forced to let their employees go. To ensure that the young people were at least partially
occupied whilst doing something worthwhile, the government decided to offer subsidies to schools and
universities offering summer courses. The Icelandic Euroguidance centre was approached and asked to
assist with disseminating information about the courses to guidance practitioners. As the information had to
reach the students promptly, a simple website was created where all the information was gathered. Emails
were sent to counsellors and messages were shared on social media where anyone interested was
encouraged to check out the courses on offer.

The Icelandic Euroguidance Centre has hardly ever before received so much attention in such a short time.
Over four thousand people entered the website, some even more than once. Most of the courses were filled
up quickly and some of the schools could have filled even more courses.

Dóra Stefánsdóttir

Euroguidance Iceland