European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network Database, ELGPN Database

Subject of the Policy document

Council conclusions of 11 May 2010 on competences supporting lifelong learning and the ‘new skills for new jobs’ initiative

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Council of the European Union

Year of adoption 2010

Reference number 2010/C 135/03

Available at http:// http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:135:0008:0011:EN:PDF

Available in English at http:// http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:135:0008:0011:EN:PDF

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

The Conclusions do not directly address lifelong guidance. However, the key role of career guidance systems in supporting citizens is noted on page C135/11.

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policy, active citizenship, competences, key competences, transversal, Conclusion, career management skills, schools, VET, higher education, adult education, employment, social inclusion

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Partnership based URIHO's model of CMS for persons with disability in Croatia

Country

Croatia

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

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

According to conducted researches (UNDP/CES research 2007) and monitoring of labour market situation in Croatia it is visible that persons with disabilities have difficulties to enter open labour market because of their inadequate educational structure, lack of work experience and long term unemployment what additionally decrease their employability because of disuse of professional knowledge and diminished motivation. Prejudices of employers and general public about their working abilities also contribute to their hard placement on open labour market.
The Strategy on Equalization of Possibilities for Persons with disabilities in Croatia (2007-2015) among others states: “to allow access to career management for persons with disabilities...to develop new employment models for persons with disabilities”.

Croatian Employment Service in cooperation with URIHO (organization for rehabilitation), Fond for vocational rehabilitation and local communities have developed model to enhance the employability of unemployed persons with disabilities by improving their career management skills using tailor made work-related and social activities.

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)

The objective of established new model of professional rehabilitation is to enhance the employability of persons with disabilities by improving their career management skills using tailor made work-related and social activities. Target groups of participants are long-term unemployed persons with disabilities and in smaller extent other vulnerable and marginalized groups.

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)

New model includes activities which take place in group settings, individual sessions and social-related activities - assessment and upgrading of their vocational competences, their key competences - communication in mother tongue, mathematical and digital competences, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship; social skills, job-searching skills including how to write CV-s, knowledge and skills needed for their interview with potential employer. They also have possibility for self-evaluation by using “My Choice” - career guidance software. In addition, individual counseling on career possibilities leads towards improving their career management skills. Group work is organized once a week (1, 5 hour) and is focused on themes such as: communication and presentation skills, non-violent conflict resolution, recognition and expression of emotions, stress management, decision- making, creative and critical thinking, building effective relationships, team work, self-assessment, ect. Group work is based on interactive approach which includes group discussions, role plays, working in pairs, presentations.

The described model of professional rehabilitation has started as model at national level followed by setting up similar regional professional rehabilitation centers.

Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

The evaluation of this programme proves that after 6 months participants improve their working potential including different aspects related to career management skills.

Croatian Employment Service is involved in process of monitoring the participants’ progress, conducting evaluation of the program and works on improvement of this form of vocational rehabilitation along with the other partners. Additionally, new model of professional rehabilitation contributed to the increased level of cooperation among all partners: Croatian Employment Service, URIHO (Institution for Rehabilitation of Persons With Disability by Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment), the City of Zagreb and Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Disabilities.

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

Participants have learnt how to write CV, how to make active job search and effective interview with potential employer. They have improved their career management skills through self-evaluation techniques, by using “My Choice” career guidance software, individual and group counseling. According to the survey and follow up 45% of unemployed persons with disabilities who used URIHO facilities found their jobs on open labor market.

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 main factors which led to success of this model were: improved vertical and horizontal communication between all key players who were indispensable for CMS policy implementation. CMS policy implementation was incremental and gradual due to bottom up process which relayed on constant observation and assessment of needs of participants involved in the activities of professional rehabilitation.

The factors that hindered success were unclear legislation regulations about participant’s compensations during the rehabilitation process which influenced their motivation. This issue was resolved through communication with the relevant ministry.

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

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

E-mail

mirjana.zecirevic@hzz.hr

Website address

www.hzz.hr

Documents and publications

Attached files

Links

No links specified.

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good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, assessment, key competences, self-evaluation, vocational rehabilitation, disabled, Croatia, adult education, employment, social inclusion, people at risk, unemployed, disadvantaged groups, career information, qualifications, effectiveness

Subject of the Policy document

The Bruges Communiqué on enhanced European Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training for the period 2011-2020

Reference data

Adopted/Released by European Ministers of Vocational Education and Training, European Social Partners, and the European Commission

Year of adoption 2010

Reference number

Available at http:// http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/1673&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Available in English at http:// http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc/vocational/bruges_en.pdf

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

The role of “easily accessible and high-quality lifelong information, guidance and counselling
services” as a part of European VET systems is highlighted in a global vision for VET in 2020. The importance of guidance is emphasised in enabling citizens to make sound decisions and in helping them to manage their learning and career (p. 6).

The document notes the role of guidance in promoting international mobility among VET learners, which has remained low despite the emergence of the European area of education and training (p. 4).

To enhance the attractiveness of VET, a provision of high quality guidance is needed to introduce different vocational trades and career opportunities to young pupils in compulsory education (p. 7).

In improving the quality and relevance of VET, participating countries and providers of vocational education and training are encouraged to make use of data guidance service provide on the transition from VET to work or further learning (p. 9).

The document highlights the importance of integrated guidance services, encompassing both employment and counselling services, in facilitating transitions from education and training to work and between jobs (p. 11).

One of the short term deliverables at the national level concerning strategic objectives 3 and 4 is the provision of ”integrated guidance services closely related with labour market needs” (p. 12).

Guidance services are noted as one of the measures which can help to maximise the contribution of VET in reducing early school leaving to below 10 per cent (p. 15).

Actors at the national level are encouraged to consider specific measures, such as using appropriate guidance and support services, to raise the participation levels of “at risk” groups in education and training (p. 16).

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policy, adult education, apprenticeship, continuing VET, companies, Copenhagen process, C-VET, European Education and Training Area, Europe 2020, flexible pathways, initial VET, integrated guidance services, I-VET, key competences, mobility, national qualifications framework, permeability, quality assurance, transition, transnational mobility, validation of non-formal and informal learning, VET, VET professionals, vocational education and training, work-based learning, European union, communication, career management skills, quality assurance and evidence-base, social inclusion