Page 30 - insights-autumn-2019

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Exploring the Challenges of Providing Meaningful

Guidance in a Multicultural Context

Between the 19th and 21st of February 2019 Euroguidance Ireland hosted a study visit. This
focussed on the Further Education and Training (or VET) system in Ireland with particular reference
to upskilling and 'The New Skills Agenda'.Participants were from Estonia, Luxembourg, Belgium
(Dutch speaking), the Czech Republic and Romania. The theme of the programme was to explore the
challenges of providing meaningful guidance in a multicultural context The base of the study visit
was the Irish National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE) and included 'site visits' to a number
of provision locations in the Dublin area.

countries with reference to multicultural guidance.
This gave the group the opportunity to reflect on the
similarities and differences in guidance provision
between European countries.

Irish practitioner experience and 'site visits'

Individual AEGS Guidance staff gave an overview
of guidance information provision for multicultural
clients in Dublin. The group also visited the
Business in the Community Centre (BITC) where
Providing an overview of relevant provision they joined a class run by Employment for People
in Ireland from Immigrant Communities (EPIC), a support
service for immigrants and refugees. Students in
The NCGE Further Education and Training the class were from countries such as Brazil,
Programme Co-ordinator outlined the role of the Venezuela and Argentina.
Adult Educational Guidance Services in Ireland
(AEGS). These dedicated services provide The group also visited an inner city 'Community
guidance at a local level to adults who wish to Education Centre' (HACE) and a Training Centre,
return to education or are attending FET (or VET) where the Recruitment Officers presented on the
programmes. The AEGS model also offers Apprenticeships and Traineeships programmes
outreach guidance via Adult Community Education available.
Centres around Ireland. Community education can An Adult Education Guidance Counsellor described
include the provision of teaching of the English the Guidance Counselling services delivered to the
Language along with additional free education Irish Syrian Refugee Programme and gave a case
options for persons who may be currently engaged study on the challenges faced by refugees and the
with the Asylum Seeking Process. support of the AEGS service.
There was an input from Quality and Qualifications
Ireland (QQI) which hosts the ENIC-NARIC service
in Ireland. QQI is also responsible for the
maintenance, development and review of
the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
which is deeply embedded in the Irish education
system.

Providing an overview of relevant provision
in participant countries

The visiting participants delivered information on More information and all presentations can be accessed at
their guidance systems and practice in their
https://euroguidance.ie/study-visit-2019