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Study on lifelong guidance policy and practice in the Internationalisation in guidance

EU: Changes in the ecosystem for career guidance One finding of particular interest for the Euroguidance network is that mechanisms that foster cooperation

and coordination, both at EU and national levels, are not always as strong as they could be. Here it is
calls for action recommended that the Commission should promote coordination and cooperation in the provision of lifelong

guidance by facilitating communication, exchange and consultation among relevant stakeholders at EU level.

In April, the European Commission published a new study on lifelong guidance policy and practice

in the EU, focusing on trends, challenges and opportunities. “The study concluded that more multi-professional and cross-sectoral networks will be needed in the

future. We believe that Euroguidance centres are well placed to use their expertise to help create such

Lifelong guidance aims to provide career development support for individuals of all ages, at all career stages. networks in the area of guidance”, says Aline Juerges.

It includes careers information, advice, counselling, assessment of skills and mentoring. The study discusses

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changes in the ecosystem for LLG , such as fluctuating labour markets as well as social, technological and

economic changes. Extended role of Euroguidance

“The European guidance community could draw on the study findings on the use of labour market Representatives from numerous Euroguidance centres were involved in sharing their expertise on the

information and technology in guidance services. This will be useful as the trend, according to the study, international aspects in guidance. In this context, the study also points out the need for international

goes more and more towards the development of e-guidance services”, says Aline Juerges, Policy Officer exchange as part of the training for guidance practitioners. One of the interviewed experts is quoted;

at the European Commission. “International exchange and cooperation among guidance professionals contributes to their competence

development by offering opportunities to study guidance methods and practices in other countries and opens

possibilities for project cooperation between guidance services”.
Researchers from the University of Warwick and the University of Jyväskylä argue that there is an awareness

of the need for LLG in many recent EU policy initiatives in both the education and employment sectors. Here

validation and the Pillar of Social Rights are pointed out as central, which also brings a social dimension to “Euroguidance could play a role in promoting coordination and cooperation for mutual learning, exchange

the study and promotes access to career development support as an individual right linked to equal and consultation across the different contexts of guidance, while focusing on the competence

opportunities to learn and to work. development for guidance counsellors in today’s fluid labour market”, says Aline Juerges.

“Guidance is more essential than ever and will be crucial in recovery measures in a post-Covid context to

understand how the labour market has changed, understand the opportunities available and the new Ways forward

skills demanded”, says Aline Juerges.

When we ask about the next steps, Aline Juerges tells us that

the Commission together with the researchers are working on

disseminating the research across Europe and internationally.

Key features and recommendations

“We will also be working closely with Cedefop, taking into

account the recently published Inventory of lifelong

The study identifies 11 key features to enable a dialogue between stakeholders around how and in what ways

guidance systems and practices.”

LLG can evolve based on activity in other EU member states.

The recommendations focus on what the European

To read the whole study, please visit the

Commission can do to support the Member States in news section at euroguidance.eu.

their development.

“The study suggests that the Commission and the

Member States should work together to maximise

mutual learning across the different contexts of Margit Rammo and Nina Ahlroos

guidance, covering both guidance in education and

training and guidance in the labour market. This could Euroguidance centres in Estonia and Sweden

also help facilitate an exchange between those countries Aline Juerges works as Policy Officer at the European

Commission, DG Employment, social affairs and inclusion,

with less developed LLG systems with the innovations Unit E.2 "Skills and Qualifications".

found to be taking place in countries with more

developed LLG systems”, Aline Juerges concludes.

1 Lifelong guidance
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