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Valuing diversity: guidance for labour market integration of migrants

assessed and certified. These services need to be correctly signposted, as they
offer guidance both in the assessment of skills and in the development of
motivation, context awareness and self-awareness, which should support the
individual career choices to be made during the process (such as access to
professional certification in a certain occupation). Assessment, information,
advice and counselling are very important in such interventions, as is validation
for experienced professionals already resident in the host country. The lack of
skills visibility can be a reason for them working in a job below their skill level,
frequently locked in to a career path below their potential.

2.3.4. Counselling, information and career planning (general)
This includes a range of services normally dominated by information, counselling
and the development of CMS. This type of provision is frequently found in private
or public employment services, local administrations and civil associations. It
targets a diverse set of client groups, with focus generally on unemployed adults
and youth transition into the labour market. In some cases the methodologies
used will have adaptations to immigrant cultural groups (targeted information
sessions, multicultural counsellors). Such services prioritise informing the
individuals about their learning and work possibilities, and development of
individual self-awareness through counselling techniques in which the
assessment of own values, perceptions and needs plays a significant role in
achieving progressive autonomy in career decision.
There are many variations in these procedures, which can range from very
short, limited information and short interview structures, to detailed narrative-type
methodologies, assisted by a range of assessment tools. Assessments often lead
to identification of CMS needs which can be developed in career training
programmes. Guidance activities have different emphasis, depending on the
clients and the context they are inserted in. With migrant groups, the
development of job search techniques, CV building, interview attitudes, and
recognising and avoiding discriminative behaviours may be to the fore. The
development of a motivated, self-confident and culturally aware attitude may also
be a fundamental component of interventions, once these needs are identified.
Civil associations tend to develop strong advocating roles, extending provision to
individuals of undefined or illegal status and directly supporting client interaction
with institutions and organisation (such as schools, employers, social security).

2.3.5. Youth services and interventions
Youth services can be found in employment and civil services and are frequently
inserted in formal learning environments, such as schools and VET providers.
They have three strong functions: assisting informed and self-aware learning

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