Using quality manuals to develop a culture of learning within and across career development services
Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy
Using quality manuals to develop a culture of learning within and across career development services
Country
Estonia
I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database
No
1. Background
What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?
- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)
- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)
- Participants
Aims and targets
- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)
- Target group
- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)
2. Implementation
Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)
- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)
- Implementation (description)
In Estonia, three inter-related services currently operate: career education, career information and career counselling.
Career service developments are informed and supported by the introduction of three quality manuals which contain ideas and resources on: (i) how to ensure the quality of career education in schools, aimed at teachers and directors of general education and vocational training institutions, linking pedagogical principles to lifelong guidance policies and practices; (ii) how to develop service quality-assessment reviews and requirements concerning service delivery and record management systems; and (iii) how to understand the management and delivery of careers services, which in turn affects the quality of careers provision.
The main manual is the quality manual of career services, which formulates the basic principles of all the career services that are provided. There are two specific manuals, one on career education and second to support career information provision and counselling. These manuals visualise the process of providing the service, the expected outcomes and the indicators of the efficiency of the process. To ensure systematic service improvement the manuals are revised annually and updated if necessary.
Some examples of quality indices include:
- satisfaction of the users of careers services: measured using on-line questionnaire;
- satisfaction of stakeholders (mainly representatives of the National Career Guidance Forum): measured using questionnaire;
- satisfaction of career service professionals: measured using questionnaires, ‘on-the-spot’ inspections;
- attainment of the objectives set: measured using actual results measured against intended results;
Monitoring and evaluation
- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?
- What actors are involved?
In 2011, manuals were piloted in 17 regional youth information and counselling centres. Currently the system is being expanded to the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund (national employment offices) and career centres in the institutions of higher education.
3. Outcomes
Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)
- Specific results
- Cost effectiveness
- Budget
- Innovative aspects
Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)
- Lessons learnt
- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)
Strengths and weaknesses
- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?
- Are there still challenges ahead?
4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative
Additional information
Name of contact
Margit Rammo
Role (in policy initiative)
Head of Centre; Program Manager
Organization name
INNOVE, National Resource Centre for Guidance
Address
Lõõtsa 4, 11415 Tallinn
Phone
372 735 0700
Fax
margit.rammo@innove.ee
Website address
http://www.innove.ee/en
Documents and publications
Attached files
Links
No links specified.
This information was provided/updated by:
Marjo Halmiala
No comments by users.
good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, career education, career counselling, career services, quality, schools, VET, guidance in schools, career information, Estonia
Quality Standards For The Vocational Guidance and Selection Services At The Croatian Employment Service
Subject of the Policy document
Quality Standards For The Vocational Guidance and Selection Services At The Croatian Employment Service
Reference data
Adopted/Released by Croatian Employment Service
Year of adoption 2005
Reference number
Available at http:// http://www.hzz.hr/docslike/Standardi_kvalitete_usluga_profesionalnog_usmjeravanja_i_slekecije_u_HZZ-u.pdf
Available in English at http://
1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance
The material describes how career guidance services are provided in regional offices as well as those possible activities now provided in only some of the offices. Improving the career guidance system presumes introduction of new types of services for specific groups of users and ensures co-ordinated action between different departments of the CES. Precondition for introduction of new services is a continuous investment into upgrading of counsellors’ competences.
The overall goal in the quality management system is:
• CES services quality standardisation
• That the activities of the Employment Service are more visible and transparent to the users and public
• That the services provided are within the resources allocated and the legislation framed, that they match best the needs of the users
• Permanent training for the CES employees in order to gain needed competences
• That the changes i.e. adjustments are made in accordance with users’ needs and potential
• To ensure a nation wide concept in delivering services, with possibilities for regional variations
Attached files
This information was provided/updated by:
Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department
No comments by users.
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“Early intervention” activities with pupils – partnership based holistic approach in Croatia
Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy
“Early intervention” activities with pupils – partnership based holistic approach in Croatia
Country
Croatia
I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database
No
1. Background
What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?
- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)
- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)
- Participants
The importance of creating social, educational and other conditions for the welfare of young people and their responsible participation in community, including the prevention of early – school leaving is emphasized as priorities in European strategies (e.g. Europe 2020, New Skills for New Jobs) and many national strategies in Croatia (National Youth Program from 2009 - 2013, Development Strategy of the Vocational Education System in the Republic Of Croatia 2008-2013, National Strategy for Entrepreneurial Learning, National Strategy of Equalization of Possibilities for Persons with Disabilities 2007 – 2015).
Presently, career guidance in Croatia is a transversal and comprehensive activity with a cross - sectored approach in youth policy implementation. A clear mandate is given to Croatian Employment Service (CES) to provide support to the educational system through vocational and career guidance services. This approach has been developed on partnership bases between CES, schools, employers, health and social welfare organizations.
Aims and targets
- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)
- Target group
- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)
Croatian Employment Service includes “early intervention” activities in career guidance as an integrated part of its responsibilities to prevent early – school leaving. This approach has proven to be successful since Croatia has a very low rate of early school leavers (3.9%) in comparison to the European countries (where the average rate is close to 15%).
A key feature in Croatian model is client-oriented approach aiming at providing tailor-made services for pupils at risk (early - school leavers, pupils with health and social problems, learning difficulties, behavioral disorders, etc). Educational, psychological, medical and social aspects are assessed for these target groups which are most in need of comprehensive vocational and career guidance services.
2. Implementation
Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)
- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)
- Implementation (description)
Career guidance services are provided to pupils and students using the so-called ˝tiered services˝, starting from the fact that the largest number of pupils need to be informed about their future possibilities in order to make decision; some of them need additional counseling and are included in group counseling sessions and the smallest number (about 10%) are offered the most intense and complex services which could include psychological-medical assessment as well (for those with the risk of being early – school leavers, pupils with health and social problems, learning difficulties, behavioral disorders, etc). Secondary schools students who achieve poor results are also referred to the expert team for career guidance.
Croatian Employment Service conducts a Survey on Vocational Intentions of Primary and Secondary School Pupils on a yearly basis. Under the leadership of CES professionals, expert teams are set-up in each primary and secondary educational institution in order to analyze the outcomes of the Survey and identify priority groups who may require special attention. Analysis is conducted on individual level (for each pupil), regional level (in relation to labor market needs) of and national level (trends in vocational intentions).
Each year the Ministry of Education adopts the Decision on Elements and Criteria for Candidate Selection for High-School Enrolment enabling pupils with developmental disabilities, health difficulties, learning difficulties, behavioral and emotional difficulties as well as pupils from the Roma minority to achieve direct enrolment or receive extra points to the score set in the enrolment valuation process. In order to obtain these rights, pupils among other documents enclose an expert opinion of the CES career guidance service on their abilities and motivation with a list of recommended educational programmes. In expert opinions on the most adequate choice of further education, needs of the labour market and education opportunities are taken into account, as well as the student's individual abilities and needs. In case of pupils with developmental disabilities (physical or mental disability), career guidance expert team’s opinion enables them direct enrolment in specialized schools or training programs.
Monitoring and evaluation
- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?
- What actors are involved?
Monitoring and evaluation of career guidance services in Croatia is carried out periodically by Croatian Employment Service in co-ordination with secondary and tertiary educational institutions. According to the results of the Survey on pupil’s intentions, approximately 60% of the pupil population expresses a need for professional assistance in their choice of further education program. It indicates a further need for further development of group methods and e-counseling services for pupils and students. Career guidance services are planned on a yearly basis according to the expressed needs.
3. Outcomes
Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)
- Specific results
- Cost effectiveness
- Budget
- Innovative aspects
In a partnership based approach and coordination between employment and educational sectors, it is considered more cost effective to the entire society to provide adequate support to those of greater need at primary and secondary school rather than spending public money for unemployed citizens when adults.
Career guidance services in Croatian Employment Service are considered a key element in preventive activities in order to avoid potential social exclusion. On average, 30% of the pupil/student population in Croatia is included in the “early intervention” activities of CES career guidance services.
In addition, aggregate results of the Survey on pupil’s intentions indicate the trends in pupils'/students' vocational intentions and are delivered to the stakeholders in the field of education and employment on the county and national level. According to the Survey and forecasting the needs of the labor market for certain occupations, every year recommendations for enrollment policy and scholarship policy are made and referred to the educational institutions, local and regional stakeholders, sector councils and the Ministry of Education.
Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)
- Lessons learnt
- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)
The key feature of the ˝early intervention˝ model is client-oriented approach aiming at providing tailor-made services for pupils at risk. It represents a multidisciplinary approach that involves co-operation and co-ordination of experts in the fields of education, employment, health and social welfare. It has proven to be successful since Croatia has a very low rate of early school leavers (3.7%).
Strengths and weaknesses
- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?
- Are there still challenges ahead?
One of the challenges is the positive discrimination of pupils at risk as a way of addressing their disadvantages in educational and labor surroundings. A necessity to develop more efficient tailor-made CG services for pupils at risk exists, which leaves fewer opportunities for providing CG services to other target groups (undeceive pupils, talented pupils, etc.).
Currently, Croatia is in the process of establishing a LLCG National Forum and drafting legislation for guidance provision. The awareness of inter-institutional cooperation is increasing, including the need to define the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders on national, regional and local levels.
4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative
Additional information
Name of contact
Mirjana Zećirević
Role (in policy initiative)
Head, Employment Preparation Department
Organization name
Croatian Employment Service
Address
Radnička cesta 1, 10 000 Zagreb
Phone
+385 1612 6091
Fax
+385 1612 6039
mirjana.zecirevic@hzz.hr
Website address
http://www.hzz.hr/
Documents and publications
Attached files
Links
No links specified.
This information was provided/updated by:
No comments by users.
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