Professionalising Career Guidance in Estonia: New Study Highlights Development Needs

Author:Margit Rammo, programme Manager at Education and Youth Board of Estonia 

As education systems and labour markets continue to evolve, career guidance professionals play an increasingly important role in helping people navigate learning and work transitions. A recent national study conducted by Jaan Aps and Aune Lillemets for Euroguidance Estonia at the Education and Youth Board explored the professional development needs of career specialists in Estonia and examined how effectively current education and training opportunities support their work. 

The study combined document analysis with focus group and individual interviews involving career guidance professionals, training providers and other stakeholders. Particular attention was given to specialists supporting career competencies in general and vocational education, an area that has received relatively little attention in earlier studies.  

The findings show that career guidance in Estonia continues to strengthen as a profession. Practitioners can obtain a professional qualification, are supported by an active professional association, and contribute to national lifelong guidance and education objectives. However, Estonia still lacks a comprehensive formal education pathway for career specialists. Although universities, public institutions and private providers offer learning opportunities, these do not yet form a coherent progression from entry-level practice to advanced expertise. 

Participants identified several barriers to professional growth, including heavy workloads, limited time for learning, rapidly changing labour market information and uneven opportunities for networking across regions. In schools, career education often depends on the initiative of individual teachers or coordinators rather than being systematically embedded in teaching, learning and school culture.  

The study also highlighted key development needs. Career specialists expressed a desire to strengthen their communication and counselling skills, ability to manage complex cases, capacity to facilitate reflection and self-awareness, understanding of labour market developments, and competence in using artificial intelligence responsibly. In education settings, practitioners need more practical tools for integrating career education into subject teaching and supporting learners’ career management skills.  

The findings point to the need for a more structured and continuous approach to professional development. A future-oriented model should combine initial training, micro-credentials, practical experience, supervision, mentoring and network-based learning, supported by closer cooperation between education providers, employers, professional associations and public authorities.  

While the study focuses on Estonia, many of its conclusions resonate internationally. Career guidance professionals everywhere face increasingly complex educational and labour market realities, making continuous professional learning essential. International cooperation can play an important role in this process. Participation in European networks, peer-learning activities and practitioner mobility initiatives enables professionals to exchange knowledge, gain new perspectives and strengthen their practice. For Estonia, these opportunities are particularly valuable in supporting innovation and the continued professionalisation of the field. 

FURTHER READING 

Aps, J., & Lillemets, A. (2026). Karjäärispetsialistide professionaalne areng: vajadused ja võimalused (Professional Development of Career Specialists: Needs and Opportunities). English summary available on pp. 9–10. https://eeagentuur.ee/materjalid/karjaarispetsialistide-areng/