European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network Database, ELGPN Database

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Career Orientation and Guidance (COG) Incentives plans the Netherlands

Country

the Netherlands

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

Two important initiatives have set the course for Career Orientation and Guidance. Both on secondary education (VO) and on senior secondary vocational education level (MBO) incentive plans were drawn up. Both projects started in 2009 and are still being carried out.
Both plans receive funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The Ministry formulated the principles underpinning the projects.
The Netherlands Association of Secondary Schools (VO-raad) initiated the LOB Incentive Project (2009) to encourage schools to improve the quality of their guidance services. The main aim is to get students to think carefully before deciding on continuing education or a career, based on past experience and their own views. Many factors play a role in this respect, ranging from having a clear view of guidance to encouraging regional cooperation and expertise at school. The LOB Incentive Project, coordinated by the MBO-Diensten project office, is being carried out in cooperation with SBB (formerly Colo) and Skills Netherlands.

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)

By intensifying guidance for students, the project aims to:
• reduce the number of students who drop out, for example because they have chosen the wrong programme;
• give students an accurate picture of their talents, qualities and potential so that they can make sensible decisions concerning continuing education or a career.
Both incentive plans are based on the body of thought of Kuijpers and Meijers.
Kuijpers introduced the concept of career skills. These skills constitute a “beacon” in the field of education:
• Reflecting on motives: Investigating wishes and values important for a career.
• Reflecting on quality: Investigating skills and aptitudes and interpreting them in terms of qualities and talents that can be used to achieve goals in learning and work.
• Exploring work: Exploring work-related demands and values and the possibility of changing one’s work.
• Managing career: Planning and influencing learning and working. This involves making well-considered decisions and taking action to match one’s work and learning to one’s personal work-related qualities, motives, and challenges.
• Networking: Building and maintaining a group of professional contacts in the employment sector that is tailored specifically to one’s own career development.
The design of the learning environment is important in the development of career skills. A powerful, career-focused learning environment has three features
1. Practice-based, functional and real-life. This eases the transition from theory to practice.
2. Active, participatory. This means that students deal with the learning demand-driven content interactively and comprehensively.
3. Reflective and in dialogue

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)

Spearheads of the projects are:
- Professionalization of teachers
- Improvement of transfer from prevocational education-senior secondary vocational education –university vocational education (MBO incentive plan)
- Improvement of transfer from VO to university (VO incentive plan)
- Parental involvement
- More self management of students in COG and study choice

Regional cooperation and partnerships play an important role in further development steps

Monitoring and evaluation

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

- What actors are involved?

Impact assessment and research are instruments used. The project goals are concretely specified and monitored. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is closely involved in this.

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

- Specific results
Both incentive plans report more awareness of COG in schools. In the VO incentive plan 7 steps are defined to measure improvement. There appears to be more formulated vision on COG at schools, more developments. IN the VO plan organizing professionalization lacks behind the goals set.
- Cost effectiveness
Because of the decentralized character of the plans this is not clearly visible.
- Budget
Because of the decentralized character of the plans this is not clearly visible.
- Innovative aspects
Both plans clearly delivered many innovative instruments and tools, as well as inspiring and innovative good practices. The mbo project gathered all this in a public available Toolbox website.

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 character of the projects is that the Ministry stimulates, not determines developments. This enables creative and innovative solutions with bottom up ownership.
The projects are based on research and researchers are involved in implementing the incentive plans;
Success factor is the network approach: active involvement off all relevant stakeholders

Schools have their own dynamics in improving COG. There are definitely no fixed steps that can be defined here. In the VO plan the professionalization of teachers regarding COG competences lacks behind.
More schools have to be involved, and in schools already involved in COG pilots many developments can still be taken but the blueprint and the tools of how this could be established have become clearer

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

From policy perspective the incentive projects are good examples of bottom up approach supported by top down incentives. The projects give strong stimulus to regional development of career guidance services. Cooperation in the project between and cooperation of relevant stakeholders embeds developments. Many innovative tools were developed.
Strong element is the use of general accepted theoretical models - and the involvement of researchers in the projects.

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Role (in policy initiative)

Organization name

Address

Phone

Fax

E-mail

Website address

http://www.lob-vo.nl/ http://www.mbodiensten.nl/mbodiensten/p000047/projecten/loopbaanorientatie-en-begeleiding-lob

Documents and publications

LOB: de investering waard (2012) (VO-Raad)
Doorstart stimuleringsproject LOB ) (2012) (MBO Diensten)

Attached files

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

Petervan Deursen

No comments by users.

good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, career management skills, access, quality, co-operation, co-ordination, guidance in schools, The Netherlands

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.

policy, access, administration, adult education, advisory services, apprenticeship, availability, career counselling, career guidance, career information, career management skills, career planning, co-operation and co-ordination, competence assessment, counsellor training, Croatia, guidance services, development plan, disadvantaged groups, education planning, education provision, effectiveness, employees, employer, employment services, evaluation criteria, evaluation data, evaluation guidelines, evaluation outcome, evidence-based, group counselling, guidance provision, human resource management, implementation, in-company training, individual counselling, information services, labour market, standard development, people at risk, people with disabilities, personality assessment, PES, quality assurance, quality evaluation, student counseling, young people, Staff working document, Regional level, quality assurance and evidence-base, schools, VET, higher education, employment, social inclusion

Subject of the Policy document

Ordinance On The Composition And Operation Of Expert Bodies In The Procedure Of Achieving Social Welfare Rights And Other Rights According To Special Regulations

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Croatian Parliament

Year of adoption 2002/2011

Reference number Official Gazette 64/02, 145/11

Available at http:// narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2011_12_145_2950.html

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Form No. 1: SOCIAL WORKER'S SHEET
10. SOCIAL AND FAMILY HISTORY INFORMATION (place, duration and reason for temporary stay, previous expert analysis, previously achieved rights, information on household members, housing conditions, financial situation, circumstances and progress of education, career guidance and rehabilitation, work status, marital status, situation in the marriage or parents' marriage, description of behaviour, respondent's opinion or the opinion of his/her legal representative on the abilities and needs of the respondent).

Form No. 8: PHYSIATRIST – ORTHOPAEDIC SHEET
13. Use of aids (appliances):
13.1. Which aids are used
13.2. Is the aid used throughout the day or a portion of the day
13.3. Does the aid effect career guidance and does it improve work and everyday activities
14. Assessment of:
14.1. Ability to stand, move, sit, balance (sitting down and standing)
14.2. Conditions to attend school – go to workplace
14.3. Posture at the workplace
14.4. Body position when lying down for persons over 65
14.5. Ability to move arms
- dominant
- non-dominant
14.6. Contraindications for career guidance considering work conditions and surroundings.

Form No. 13e: DEFECTOLOGIST'S SHEET FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION INDICATION
If the person is going to school or has gone to school, list:
- if the person was diagnosed according to educational standards (yes/no),
- if the person was diagnosed for the purposes of career guidance (yes/no); if yes: where the diagnosis was carried out (CES career guidance service, career guidance team at the special educational or rehabilitation institution, elsewhere).

Form No. 16: SOCIAL AND FAMILY HISTORY INFORMATION ON THE PERSON REFERRED TO EXPERT ANALYSIS
17. Career guidance, training and rehabilitation, work status, workplace, tasks carried out or being carried out, years of employment

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, career guidance, social inclusion, social and family history information, PES career guidance service, special educational institution, rehabilitation institution, training, disability, disabled, disadvantaged groups, workplace learning, National level, Croatia, legislation, career management skills, access, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, higher education, adult education, employment

Subject of the Policy document

EUROPE 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth

Reference data

Adopted/Released by European Commission

Year of adoption 2010

Reference number COM(2010) 2020 final

Available at http:// http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/documents/related-document-type/index_en.htm

Available in English at http:// http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2010:2020:FIN:EN:PDF

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

While the strategy makes no explicit reference to lifelong guidance, the paper and its flagship initiatives (Youth on the Move, The Agenda for New Skills and Jobs, Innovation Union, and A European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion) emphasise the active role of citizens' acquisition of lifelong career management skills.

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Outi Ruusuvirta

No comments by users.

ELGPN, legislation, policy, access, adult education, ageing population, career guidance, co-operation, communication, drop-out, early childhood education, higher education, informal learning, non-formal learning, schools, strategy, tertiary education, VET, vocational education, mobility, modernisation, European union, career management skills, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, employment, social inclusion

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Development and Pilot Operation of National Database of educational opportunities - PLOIGOS

Country

GREECE

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

Ploigos gives valid information about Learning opportunities and training possibilities available in Greece in all educational levels and all types of education.

The decisions of EU councils of Lisbon and Stockholm called for the creation of unified information systems on education and training opportunities in Europe. The first phase (2002-2008) of such an information system was completed with the development of PLOTEUS I (Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space), a European internet portal which aimed to help students, job seekers, parents, guidance counsellors and teachers to find out information about studying in Europe. The development of Ploteus I was assigned by DG Education and Culture to Euroguidance Network. EKEP as the Greek Euroguidance center provided Ploteus I with links to web sites of universities and higher education institutions, databases of schools and vocational training and adult education courses in Greece. The second phase of a European Internet portal on learning opportunities PLOTEUS II (2009-today) does not provide links to websites of education institutions, instead it gives the actual information – details of each educational opportunity. Necessary prerequisite for this was the creation from every EU country of a national database of learning opportunities and the connection of these datasources on the basis of a common protocol. The development of the Greek National Database on Learning Opportunities "Ploigos" was assigned by the Greek Ministry of Education to EKEP.

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)

Objective: The development of the first national database on educational opportunities in Greece

Target group: students of all education levels, their parents, graduates interested for post graduate studies, teachers, counsellors, european citizens interested for studying in Greece

Method: Cooperation with education opportunity providers for the collection of information - Field Study.

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)

Implementation:
1. First we communicated with supervising ministries asking for their support in order to secure the cooperation of the departments, services and organizations within their competence, to define all the sources of educational opportunities within their competence and to assign a representative responsible for the co-ordination of the relevant departments, services and supervised organizations
2. As a result relevant ministerial decrees were issued
3. We created the tool for gathering information, a questionnaire in excel form with the 21 fields - elements (in 4 data sheets) comprising each educational opportunity according to the common protocol of Ploteus II
4. The blank queries were sent by e-mail to the contact person of each educational institution together with detailed instructions for filling
5. The contact persons filled the queries and returned them to EKEP in electronic form (either by e-mail or by regular mail – cds) before a certain deadline
6. EKEP’s team checked the queries for right filling and sent them to contractor for translating in English and insertion to the data base

Level of Implementation: National

Monitoring and evaluation

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

- What actors are involved?

Ploigos is already accessible trough the website of EKEP. In order to safeguard the smooth operation, monitoring and evaluation of the database a "team for support and renewal of Ploigos" has been established. In particular this team is responsible for: administration of the database, communication with Ploteus II as well as with national education opportunities providers, enrichment and renewal of the contents of Ploigos (insertion - modification - deletion of educational opportunities), promotion of national educational opportunities database
The following steps have been taken:
1. The contractor (ICT company that developed the Greek national database "Ploigos") has offered EKEP a 5 years warranty for good operation and technical support
2. Since Ploigos will be a permanent national database, EKEP conducted a viability study in order to define the technical, financial and organizational factors that will permit the smooth operation of the database. The system’s architecture permits the enrichment of the content of the database e.g. the entry of new or the change of existing educational opportunities. This can be done either by the institutions themselves with the use of specific passwords or by EKEP’s ploigos team
3. In order to strengthen the dissemination of Ploigos there are plans to promote it by brochures, articles, advertisements in newspapers-TV-radio, presentations in conferences e.t.c. A promotional booklet in Greek and English has allready been handed out to students and guidance counsellors.
The actors involved are:
1. EKEP's "team for support and renewal of Ploigos"
2. ICT company CYBERCE (The company that developed the Greek National Database Ploigos)
3. ICT company EUROPEAN DYNAMICS (The company responsible for the provision of technical assistance to the Commission, in order to ensure the smooth running of Ploteus II portal) and from January 2010 onwards "Intrasoft International"
4. National Educational Opportunities Providers (Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Social Security etc)

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

"Ploigos" is the first official database of educational opportunities in Greece.
It gives valid information to a broad target group about learning opportunities and training possibilities available in Greece in all educational levels and all types of education. It so promotes the mobility of European citizens within the European space and offers them equal access to educational opportunities

The cost effectiveness is high since Ploigos is the first and only such database in Greece. The information it contains helps students, graduates etc in their educational and career decisions and functions as a multiplier of their opportunities in today's labour market.

The project was financed by the Operational Program “Education and Initial Vocational Training” (EPEAEK II) of the Ministry of Education - Action 2.4.1.a.: “Strengthening of the Counselling & Vocational Guidance structures” - “Support of the EKEP” (European Social Fund program). The development of the database was undertaken by the private ICT company “Cyberce” after the conduct of an international open competition announced by EKEP. The overall budget of the project was 143.266,48 Euros. The development of the system started in 10-9-2007 and finished in 15-5-2009

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 support we had from the supervising ministries e.g. the Ministry of National Education , Lifelong learning and Religious affairs, helped us very much in the process of communication and collection of educational opportunities of schools, initial vocational training institutions etc. However in the cases of educational opportunities providers that were somewhat independent e.g. higher education institutions, it proved more difficult to collect all the educational opportunities on time. Another lesson learnt is that the value of a good ICT company is very important for the successful completion of the project. Good project managing was also a very important factor as well as good cooperation – coordination of all participating parties.

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

We can learn lessons about the use of an electronic tool (database) in order to promote access to educational opportunities and education information. Other areas are: The interconnection of such tools in European level into a bigger portal (Ploteus II) which supports european mobility. The cooperation between so many different actors (educational opportunities providers, ICT companies, Ploteus II central authority etc)

The challenge is the continuous renewal and upgrade of both the contents and systems of Ploigos in order for it to be technically modern and uptodate in terms of its contents

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Dr. Dimitrios Gaitanis

Role (in policy initiative)

Project Manager of "Ploigos" National Database of Educational Opportunities

Organization name

EKEP (National Resource Center for Vocational Guidance)

Address

1 Parassiou str. & 99 Aharnon str.

Phone

+30 210 8233669

Fax

+30 210 8233772

E-mail

dimitrisgaitanis@ekep.gr

Website address

www.ekep.gr

Documents and publications

Attached files

Links

http://ploigos.ekep.gr/ekep/external/index.html

This information was provided/updated by:

 

No comments by users.

ELGPN, good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, adult education, career information, career management, career planning, education planning, education provision, Greece, guidance in schools, schools and training, student counselling, vocational adult education and training (VET), career management skills, access, quality

Subject of the Policy document

Draft Council Resolution on a renewed European agenda for adult learning

Reference data

Adopted/Released by Council of the European Union

Year of adoption 2011

Reference number 16743/11

Available at http:// http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/news3142_en.htm

Available in English at http:// http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/11/st16/st16743.en11.pdf

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

The resolution welcomes the already achieved improvement in guidance services for adults (p. 5) and "encourage[s]the development of effective lifelong guidance systems, as well as integrated systems for the validation of non-formal and informal learning" (p. 8).
Bearing in mind the Europe 2020 Goals, member states are invited to focus on "... developing comprehensive and easily accessible information and guidance systems, complemented by effective outreach strategies aimed at raising awareness and motivation among potential learners, with specific focus on disadvantaged groups, early school leavers, young people not in education, employment or training (EETs), low qualified adults, particularly those with literacy difficulties, and followed up with second-chance opportunities leading to a recognised EQF level qualification." (p. 13).
The resolution also highlights "the learning needs of people with disabilities and people in specific situations of exclusion from learning, such as those in hospitals, care homes and prisons, and providing them with adequate guidance support." (p. 16)

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Outi Ruusuvirta

No comments by users.

policy, access, adult education, companies, disadvantaged groups, group at risk, lifelong guidance, lifelong learning, learning outcome, learner responsibility, learner autonomy, lifelong guidance systems, validation, informal learning, non-formal learning, key competencies, European Qualifications Framework, flexibility, in-company training, re-skilling, up-skilling, second chance, second chance opportunities, open method of coordination, workplace-based learning, employer, flexible learning pathways, quality assurance, active ageing, intergenerational, ICT, data and knowledge on adult learning, disability, people with disabilities, European union, resolution, career management skills, quality assurance and evidence-base, employment, social inclusion

Subject of the Policy document

Act On Professional Rehabilitation And Employment Of Persons With Disabilities

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Croatian Parliament

Year of adoption 2002/2005

Reference number Official Gazette 143/02, 33/05

Available at http:// narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/288162.html

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Article 6
(1) A person with disabilities has a right to professional training and rehabilitation (hereinafter: professional rehabilitation) under general conditions and, if necessary, due to the severity and type of disability in question or success of the rehabilitation process in special schools and institutions for professional rehabilitation, under specially adapted or special programmes.
(2) Professional rehabilitation covers the following measures and activities:
– definition of other working and general abilities,
– professional information, counselling and assessment of professional abilities,
– labour market analysis, employment possibilities and inclusion in the world of labour,
– assessment of possibilities of performance, development and implementation of professional development programmes,
– professional training, additional qualification and programmes for maintenance and development of work and society-related skills and abilities in the employment,
– information and counselling on supplementary technologies in learning and working,
– individual and group programmes for improvement of work and society-related inclusion in the community,
– proposals on use of different technologies and techniques in the learning and working processes with the assessment of possible use,
– pre-professional learning, planning and implementing the chosen technology,
– development of motivation and training of persons with disabilities in use of the chosen technology,
– technical assistance, support, monitoring and assessment of results,
– information and support regarding financial resources.
(3) Duration of professional rehabilitation depends on the other working abilities and complexity of its organization and implementation.
(4) Professional rehabilitation of persons with disabilities is organized and implemented by an organization for professional rehabilitation, secondary school or another legal entity which fulfils conditions prescribed by this Act and other acts.
(5) Practical dimension of training during professional rehabilitation is carried out at employers' premises, or, exceptionally, within an institution for professional rehabilitation or a specialised educational institution.

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, rehabilitation, labour market analysis, society-related, skills, technical assistance, monitoring, access, act, active placement, adult education, assessment, career counselling, career information, social exclusion, social inclusion, special needs education, disability, disabled, disadvantaged groups, people at risk, Croatia, legislation, career management skills, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, employment

Subject of the Policy document

Council Resolution on better integrating lifelong guidance into lifelong learning strategies

Reference data

Adopted/Released by Council of the European Union

Year of adoption 2008

Reference number 2008/C 319/02

Available at http:// http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/educ/104236.pdf

Available in English at http:// http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2008:319:0004:0007:EN:PDF

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

This is one of the key policy documents relating to lifelong guidance. The Resolution identifies the four priority areas (encouraging the lifelong acquisition of career management skills; facilitating access by all citizens to guidance services; developing quality assurance in guidance; and encouraging coordination and cooperation among national, regional and local stakeholders in guidance), around which the ELGPN work packages are built. The document also recognises role of the ELGPN as, inter alia, a means to share information and examples of best practice among the Member States.

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Outi Ruusuvirta

No comments by users.

policy, access, career management skills, Cedefop, cooperation, coordination, disadvantaged groups, ELGPN, employment, European Qualifications Framework, guidance practitioner, guidance system, key competencies, lifelong guidance, lifelong learning, quality assurance, social inclusion, European union, resolution, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, schools, VET, higher education, adult education

Subject of the Policy document

National Strategy Of Equalization Of Possibilities For Persons With Disabilities From The Year 2007 Till The Year 2015

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Croatian Parliament

Year of adoption 2007

Reference number Official Gazette 63/07

Available at http:// narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2007_06_63_1962.html

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

2.3. Upbringing and education

Measure 3. To provide lifelong learning for persons with disabilities with the aim to facilitate the transition between phases of education and education and employment.
Carrier: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports
Co-carriers: Agency for Adult Education, Agency for Education and Training, Agency for Occupational Education, Croatian Employment Service, National Examination and Assessment Centre, local and regional self-government units, associations of persons with disabilities and associations dealing with programmes providing benefit to persons with disabilities.

Activities:
1. to draft a qualification framework of appropriate employments for persons with particular forms and degrees of disabilities acknowledging the demands of the labour market.
2. to develop evaluation of non-formal and informal learning
3. to encourage research on competences of young people with disabilities after primary and secondary education and compare them with competences required on the labour market
4. to provide lifelong professional informing and counselling of persons with disabilities


2.7. Professional rehabilitation, employment and labour

4. To provide access to professional orientation for persons with disabilities regardless of age, education and working status

Carrier: Croatian Employment Service and Ministry of Science, Education and Sports
Co-carriers: Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship, Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities, Agency for Vocational Education, Agency for Adult Education, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, regional professional rehabilitation centres, Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Croatian Employers' Association, Croatian Pension Insurance Institute, Croatian Institute for Public Health, associations of persons with disabilities and associations dealing with programmes providing benefits to persons with disabilities, institutions for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, professional rehabilitation and employment

Activities:
1. to identify persons with disabilities having the need for professional orientation by taking into account their age, education and working status
2. to establish services for professional orientation within the educational system
3. to educate professional orientation counsellors for counselling of persons with disabilities
4. networking of professional orientation services and regional professional rehabilitation centres

Implementation indicators:
1. the number of persons with disabilities identified and forwarded to professional orientation
2. established services for professional orientation of pupils within the educational system
3. the number of experts from various systems included in education
4. the number of persons included in professional rehabilitation

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, career guidance, professional orientation, career guidance services, career guidance counsellor, schools, disabilities, Croatia, employment, labour market, upbringing, lifelong learning, local and regional self-government units, non-formal learning, evaluation, informal learning, competences, networking, rehabilitation centres, National level, Regional level, strategy, career management skills, access, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, adult education, social inclusion

Subject of the Policy document

Anti-Discrimination Act

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Croatian Parliament

Year of adoption 2008

Reference number Official Gazette 85/08

Available at http:// narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2008_07_85_2728.html

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Article 8.
This Act shall apply to the conduct of all state bodies, bodies of local and regional self-government units, legal persons vested with public authority, and to the conduct of all legal and natural persons, especially in the following areas:
1. work and working conditions; access to self-employment and occupation, including selection criteria, recruiting and promotion conditions; access to all types of vocational guidance, vocational training, professional improvement and retraining;
2. education, science and sports;
3. social security, including social welfare, pension and health insurance and unemployment insurance;
4. health protection;
5. judiciary and administration;
6. housing;
7. public informing and the media;
8. access to goods and services and their providing;
9. membership and activities in trade unions, civil society organisations, political parties or any other organisations;
10. access to participation in the cultural and artistic creation.

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, professional improvement and retraining, vocational training, access, self-employment, selection criteria, recruiting and promotion conditions, public authority, local and regional self-government units, pension and health insurance, social security, civil society organisations, housing, public informing and media, social welfare, education, science, sports, services, goods, Croatia, legislation, career management skills, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, schools, VET, higher education, adult education, employment, social inclusion

Subject of the Policy document

European guidelines for validating non-formal and informal learning

Reference data

Adopted/Released by Cedefop

Year of adoption 2009

Reference number Catalogue number: TI-78-09-692-EN-C, Number of publication: 4054 EN

Available at http:// http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/publications/5059.aspx

Available in English at http:// http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/Files/4054_en.pdf

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

The document describes the role of the counsellors in the validation process (p. 67).

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Outi Ruusuvirta

No comments by users.

policy, access, adult education, advisory services, assessment, career counselling, career management skills, Cedefop, informal learning, non-formal learning, quality assurance, validation of informal learning, validation of non-formal learning, guideline, quality assurance and evidence-base

Subject of the Policy document

Ordinance On Active Job Seeking And Availability To Work

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Croatian Parliament

Year of adoption 2009

Reference number Official Gazette 39/09

Available at http:// narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2009_03_39_886.html

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Article 7.
(1) CES also organises targeted career guidance that can include a psychological-medical examination of the unemployed person.
(2) The expert team for career guidance carries out the procedure of targeted career guidance, with the possibility of inviting an occupational health specialist into the team as needed.
(3) The unemployed person is obliged to get involved in the targeted career guidance based on arrangements made with a CES official prior to determining a professional plan or based on activities from the already determined professional plan.
(4) The unemployed person is informed about the time of career counselling during their individual counselling meeting by means of a referral that has to be signed, letter, telegram or phone, with an official note being made about the information sent.

Article 8.
(1) Group counselling allows the unemployed person to gain and develop skills for active job seeking and competences to manage their own career development.
(2) Group counselling is carried out in four modules:
– writing cover letters and resume,
– active job seeking techniques,
– preparing for interviews,
– self-assessment of professional possibilities.
(3) The unemployed person is obliged to get involved in the targeted group counselling based on arrangements made with a CES official prior to determining a professional plan or based on activities from the already determined professional plan.
(4) O The unemployed person is informed about the time of group counselling during their individual counselling meeting by means of a referral that has to be signed, letter, telegram or phone, with an official note being made about the information sent.

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, assessment, career guidance, targeted career guidance, unemployed persons, professional plan, working profile, career counselling, individual counselling meeting, group counselling, career development, active job seeking, job placement, self-assessment, career management skills, skills development, Croatia, legislation, access, quality assurance and evidence-base, adult education, employment, social inclusion

Subject of the Policy document

Labour Act

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Croatian Parliament

Year of adoption 2009/2011

Reference number Official Gazette 149/09, 61/11

Available at http:// narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2009_12_149_3635.html

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Article 5.
(1) The employer shall assign a worker a job and pay him or her for the work carried out, and the worker shall perform personally the job assigned, following the employer's instructions given according to the nature and the type of work,
(2) The employer has the right to specify the location and manner of carrying out the work, while respecting the rights and dignity of the worker.
(3) The employer shall, in accordance with a separate law and other regulations, provide the employee with safe working conditions that are not hazardous to the health of employees.
(4) Direct and indirect discrimination in the field of labour and labour conditions shall be prohibited, which includes selection criteria and employment requirements, promotion requirements, vocational guidance, vocational training, additional training and retraining, in accordance with special law.
(5) The employer shall protect employees' dignity during work from such treatment by superiors, peers and persons with whom employees come into regular contact during their work that is unwanted and contrary to separate law.

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, employment, employment requirements, employees' dignity, work, working conditions, vocational guidance, vocational training, additional training, rights and dignity of the worker, access, active placement, nature of work, type of work, Croatia, employees, employer, employment services, legislation, career management skills, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, adult education, social inclusion

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Development and Elaboration of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS)

Country

Lithuania

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

Main problems and challenges before the start of the project:
– The need of further development of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS) portal (www.aikos.smm.lt) in order to improve it’s usability, user-friendliness, appropriateness to different target groups, to ensure accuracy of information, to introduce on-line career information services. The need to develop and ensure effective interconnection of AIKOS and PLOTEUS II (Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space).
– The need to broaden the existing network of career information services by establishing 640 new Career Information Points (CIP).

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 project had two main objectives:
1. elaboration of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS).
2. developing of the career information system facilities and establishing the network of Career Information Points (CIP).

Direct beneficiaries – students of general education, vocational education and higher education schools, career advisors, teachers. Indirect beneficiaries – all citizens interested in learning opportunities.

Methodologies and tools: applying IT technolgies, making research, creating models.

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)

1. Development of the elaborated AIKOS portal programme equipment (new functional components, new contents produced according to the Standard – descriptions of occupations, qualifications, study programmes, other)
2. Development of the model of establishing the network of Career Information Points in the country. Establishing the CIP’S in the general schools, vocational schools, libraries, labour exchanges, prisons, etc. Equiping the CIP’s with the computors and other office facilities.

Monitoring and evaluation

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

- What actors are involved?

The main indicators are:
1. number of the new AIKOS portal functional components and new content items (e.g. number of the descriptions of occupations, etc.).
2. number of the instititions in which the Career Information Points were established.

The Ministry had contracted the IT company (JSC “Sintagma”) for the development of the AIKOS portal, this company worked together with the project partner – Centre of Informations Technologies of Education.
The Ministry worked in cooperation with the 60 municipalities in order to ensure the establishment of the network of Career Information Points in the country.

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

1. New programme equipment of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS) portal.
2. 640 Career Information Points established in various institutions.

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?

The main strength – usability of project results, free and easy access of the AIKOS portal and the network of Career Information Points for the beneficiaries (various groups of users).
The main weakness – need to find financial resoursces for persistent mainteneance of the AIKOS portal and support of the established Career Information Points.

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Aleksandra Sokolova

Role (in policy initiative)

Representative from the The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania in regard with the information about the Project

Organization name

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania

Address

A. Volano g. 2/7, LT-01516, Vilnius

Phone

00370 5 219 1190

Fax

00370 5 261 2077

E-mail

Aleksandra.Sokolova@smm.lt

Website address

http://www.smm.lt/es_parama/projektai/smm_projektai/projektas_%20aikos.htm

Documents and publications

General information about the project (in Lithuanian) and it’s results is available on the official web-site of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania (www.smm.lt)
Direct link to the poject’s information:
http://www.smm.lt/es_parama/projektai/smm_projektai/projektas_%20aikos.htm

Attached files

Links

http://www.smm.lt/es_parama/projektai/smm_projektai/projektas_%20aikos.htm; http://www.smm.lt

This information was provided/updated by:

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania and Euroguidance

No comments by users.

good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, guidance, career management skills, access, quality, guidance in schools, people at risk, tertiary education, unemployed, employed, older adults, disadvantaged groups, career information, qualifications, Lithuania

Subject of the Policy document

Psychological Activity Act

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Croatian Parliament

Year of adoption 2003

Reference number Official Gazette 47/03

Available at http:// narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/305170.html

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Article 3
A general purpose of psychological activities is to improve quality of life of individuals, groups and communities. Psychological activities are included in all areas of human life, especially in areas which relate to work and organization of work, employment and career guidance, communication and market, education, research and analysis, health care, sport, social care, transport, judiciary, military and police.

Article 7
Implementation of psychological activity which is not covered by undergraduate education and it covers more demanding forms of work in the area of clinical, health, penological, forensic, military, pedagogical and educational psychology, psychology of work, sports, special care, career guidance and medicine of work requires of each psychologist, in additional to the basic working permit, a special certificate.

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, psychological activities, quality of life, work, organization of work, employment, career guidance, communication and market, education, research and analysis, health care, sport, social care, transport, judiciary, military and police, Croatia, legislation, career management skills, access, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, schools, VET, higher education, adult education, social inclusion

Subject of the Policy document

National Curriculum Framework

Reference data

Adopted/Released by Ministry of Science, Education and Sports

Year of adoption 2011

Reference number ISBN 978-953-6569-76-2

Available at http:// public.mzos.hr/Default.aspx?sec=2685

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Within Chapter V.: Structure of National Framework Curriculum for Preschool Education, General Compulsory and Secondary School Education:

4. Optional and non-compulsory subjects
In order to harmonise the educational standard for all primary school pupils, the student load needs to be harmonised. The introduction of an alternative optional subject is therefore foreseen, which will enable the pupils to acquire basic ethical-moral competences and basic knowledge to pupils not taking Catholic religious instruction.
While the optional subject is a compulsory subject that is a part of the educational standard of the pupils, the non-compulsory subject is the subject the pupils choose themselves out of a number of subjects/modules in the school curriculum, and it is not a compulsory subject. As opposed to the optional subject, the non-compulsory subject does not have to have an alternative subject, but is a unique offer.

Non-compulsory subjects can be, for example, Professional orientation and future paths, ICT, Civil upbringing and education, Speech and listening, Rhetoric, Media Culture, Croatian Traditional Culture, Architecture, Environment and Cultural Heritage, Theatre, Addiction Prevention, Domestic Science, Handicraft, Classical Languages, foreign languages, and many other subjects the school can construct programmes for and offer to the pupils, having in mind their needs, general education values and goals, and fundamental competences. Schools can also create other subjects, modules, projects and activities on their own.

Within Chapter VI: Inter-subject topics

Professional orientation is listed within expected pupil achievements within individual educational cycles for the following areas of upbringing and education:
5. Humanities and social sciences (one of the goals of upbringing and educational goals is the following: "developing a valid attitude and skill of learning from all available sources, readiness for lifelong learning and assuming responsibility for one's own learning and professional development."
Within the mentioned upbringing and education area, expected pupil achievements are listed, according to individual cycles.
IN THE FIRST CYCLE, within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:
"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• differentiate among the various occupations in school, their family and the community
• differentiate among occupations included in entrepreneurial endeavour or operation of an enterprise
• make decisions on planning their free time and the choice of non-curriculum activities."

IN THE SECOND CYCLE, within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:
"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• differentiate among occupations included in entrepreneurial endeavour or operation of an enterprise and recognise the role and importance of each individual to the success of the whole
• become aware of their self-confidence based on their abilities that can satisfy their needs and contribute to the development of the pupil's surroundings
• make grounded decisions on planning their free time and the choice of non-curriculum activities and activities not provided by the school."

IN THE THIRD CYCLE, within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:

"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• make justified decisions on their own education, professional and personal development
• be responsible about their own success in education
• recognise their talents and abilities for certain areas of work and creating based on their success in school and participation in school activities, and cooperation with different institutions and organisations in their community
• list fundamental factors necessary to establish and maintain a business."

IN THE FOURTH CYCLE (VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS), within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:

"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• investigate and justify the possibilities to continue their education and further development
• recognise their talents and abilities for certain areas of work and creating based on their success in school and participation in school activities, and cooperation with different institutions and organisations in their community, Croatia and Europe
• use their knowledge, competences and skills in their professional progress responsibly."

IN THE FOURTH CYCLE (GYMNASIUMS), within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:

"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• investigate and justify the possibilities to continue their education and further development
• recognise their talents and abilities for certain areas of work and creating based on their success in school and participation in school activities, and cooperation with different institutions and organisations in their community, Croatia and Europe

GENERAL SUBJECT STRUCTURE OF AREAS: Science and Social Studies, History, Geography, Civil upbringing and education, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Logics, Religious instruction; Ethics (alternative subjects), and modules: Civil upbringing and education (integrated in subjects), Production and consumption (integrated in subjects), Career guidance and lifelong learning (integrated in subjects), Citizen and entrepreneurship (integrated in subjects), Applied Psychology (integrated in subjects).


Within Chapter V.: Structure of National Framework Curriculum for Preschool Education, General Compulsory and Secondary School Education:

4. Optional and non-compulsory subjects
In order to harmonise the educational standard for all primary school pupils, the student load needs to be harmonised. The introduction of an alternative optional subject is therefore foreseen, which will enable the pupils to acquire basic ethical-moral competences and basic knowledge to pupils not taking Catholic religious instruction.
While the optional subject is a compulsory subject that is a part of the educational standard of the pupils, the non-compulsory subject is the subject the pupils choose themselves out of a number of subjects/modules in the school curriculum, and it is not a compulsory subject. As opposed to the optional subject, the non-compulsory subject does not have to have an alternative subject, but is a unique offer.

Non-compulsory subjects can be, for example, Professional orientation and future paths, ICT, Civil upbringing and education, Speech and listening, Rhetoric, Media Culture, Croatian Traditional Culture, Architecture, Environment and Cultural Heritage, Theatre, Addiction Prevention, Domestic Science, Handicraft, Classical Languages, foreign languages, and many other subjects the school can construct programmes for and offer to the pupils, having in mind their needs, general education values and goals, and fundamental competences. Schools can also create other subjects, modules, projects and activities on their own.

Within Chapter VI: Inter-subject topics

Professional orientation is listed within expected pupil achievements within individual educational cycles for the following areas of upbringing and education:
5. Humanities and social sciences (one of the goals of upbringing and educational goals is the following: "developing a valid attitude and skill of learning from all available sources, readiness for lifelong learning and assuming responsibility for one's own learning and professional development."
Within the mentioned upbringing and education area, expected pupil achievements are listed, according to individual cycles.
IN THE FIRST CYCLE, within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:
"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• differentiate among the various occupations in school, their family and the community
• differentiate among occupations included in entrepreneurial endeavour or operation of an enterprise
• make decisions on planning their free time and the choice of non-curriculum activities."

IN THE SECOND CYCLE, within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:
"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• differentiate among occupations included in entrepreneurial endeavour or operation of an enterprise and recognise the role and importance of each individual to the success of the whole
• become aware of their self-confidence based on their abilities that can satisfy their needs and contribute to the development of the pupil's surroundings
• make grounded decisions on planning their free time and the choice of non-curriculum activities and activities not provided by the school."

IN THE THIRD CYCLE, within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:

"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• make justified decisions on their own education, professional and personal development
• be responsible about their own success in education
• recognise their talents and abilities for certain areas of work and creating based on their success in school and participation in school activities, and cooperation with different institutions and organisations in their community
• list fundamental factors necessary to establish and maintain a business."

IN THE FOURTH CYCLE (VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS), within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:

"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• investigate and justify the possibilities to continue their education and further development
• recognise their talents and abilities for certain areas of work and creating based on their success in school and participation in school activities, and cooperation with different institutions and organisations in their community, Croatia and Europe
• use their knowledge, competences and skills in their professional progress responsibly."

IN THE FOURTH CYCLE (GYMNASIUMS), within topic 5: PEOPLE, SOCIETY AND ECONOMY, career guidance is mentioned in the following:

"3. Professional orientation
Pupils will:
• investigate and justify the possibilities to continue their education and further development
• recognise their talents and abilities for certain areas of work and creating based on their success in school and participation in school activities, and cooperation with different institutions and organisations in their community, Croatia and Europe

GENERAL SUBJECT STRUCTURE OF AREAS: Science and Social Studies, History, Geography, Civil upbringing and education, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Logics, Religious instruction; Ethics (alternative subjects), and modules: Civil upbringing and education (integrated in subjects), Production and consumption (integrated in subjects), Career guidance and lifelong learning (integrated in subjects), Citizen and entrepreneurship (integrated in subjects), Applied Psychology (integrated in subjects).

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, preschool education, general compulsory education, secondary school education, primary school pupils, educational standard, basic ethical-moral competences, compulsory subject, non-compulsory subject, career guidance, professional orientation, professional development, Croatia, civil upbringing and education, inter-subject topics, humanities and social sciences, learning skills development, expected pupil achievements, self-confidence, entrepreneurial endeavour, non-curriculum activities, educational development, personal development, talent recognition, co-operation, lifelong learning, National level, Regional level, national curriculum framework, career management skills, access, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, schools, VET

Subject of the Policy document

Development Strategy Of The Vocational Education System In The Republic Of Croatia, 2008-2013

Reference data

Adopted/Released by Goverment of the Republic of Croatia

Year of adoption 2008

Reference number 38th session of the Goverment of the Republic of Croatia

Available at http:// www.asoo.hr/UserDocsImages/Dokumenti/Strategija%20razvoja%20strukovnog%20obrazovanja%20u%20RH.pdf

Available in English at http:// www.asoo.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/VET%20SYSTEM%20DEVELOPMENT%20STRATEGY_CROATIA_AVET.pdf

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Within the objectives of the reform of vocational education and training, one of the activities refers to permanent harmonisation of education with the needs of the labour market:
In the function of better meeting the labour market needs, it is necessary to further develop and enhance the lifelong professional orientation in vocational education, as an important tool of education and employment policy, among other also through strengthening capacities for providing services of professional orientation.

Objectives:
- Define the roles of all the key stakeholders and mechanisms of their cooperation by the end of 2008
- Define the work of sectoral councils by the end of 2009
- Define the methodology of labour market research by the end of 2011
- Draft an Action Plan of lifelong professional orientation in vocational education and training by the end of Q1 2012
- Collect and process the results of the labour market research by the end of 2012

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, lifelong professional orientation, vocational training, labour market, labour market information, labour needs analysis, lifelong education, educational system, Croatia, National level, Regional level, strategy, career management skills, access, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, schools, VET, higher education, adult education

Subject of the Policy document

Act On Employment Mediation And Rights During Unemployment

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Croatian Parliament

Year of adoption 2008/2009/2010

Reference number Official Gazette 80/08, 94/09, 121/10

Available at http:// narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2008_07_80_2602.html

Available in English at http:// www.hzz.hr/default.aspx?id=7085

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Article 1
This Act regulates employment mediation, career guidance, education and training with the aim of increasing the labour force, insurance during unemployment, activities in the labour market with the aim of promoting spatial and professional mobility of the labour force, new employment and self-employment, financial resources for activities of the Croatian Employment Service (hereinafter: CES) and its structure, management and activities.

Article 22
Employment preparation includes the following:
1) career guidance,
2) introduction to methods and techniques of active job seeking,
3) training for employment,
4) professional rehabilitation.

Article 23
(1) Career guidance refers to a number of professional activities which define possibilities, interests and competences of clients, so that they make decisions on their education, training and employment and thus manage their professional development.
(2) Career guidance includes informing, counselling and monitoring of professional development of persons from Paragraph 1 thereof.
(3) Career guidance services are delivered to unemployed persons and other job seekers, pupils and students.

Article 63
CES performs the following activities:
1) monitors, analyses and keeps track of economic, social and other trends, employment figures, employment and unemployment and their mutual cooperation and impacts based on which it proposes measures for promotion of employment,
2) keeps register on unemployment persons and other persons, mediates in employment between employers and job seekers, monitors employment needs, their employment and , in that sense, cooperates with employers,
3) in cooperation with employers, educational institutions and other legal entities, organizes and implements career guidance services, training and other forms of active employment policies …
4) collaborates with educational institutions in order to harmonize curricula with demand for the labour force and implementation of career guidance ...

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, active placement, assessment, career guidance services, career planning, Croatia, job seeking, labour market, labour market participation, public employment service, training for employment, proffesional rehabilitation, legislation, career management skills, access, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, adult education, employment, social inclusion

Subject of the Policy document

Extinct Act IV of 1991 on Job Assistance and Unemployment Benefits_HU

Reference data

Adopted/Released by

Year of adoption

Reference number

Available at http://

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Several modifications were made in the recent years

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Viktória Benei

No comments by users.

policy, employment, employment services, legislation, National level, Hungary, career management skills, access

Subject of the Policy document

Guidance and counselling for learning, careers and employment_HU

Reference data

Adopted/Released by

Year of adoption

Reference number

Available at http://

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

Guidance Chapter from VET Report of Refernet

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Viktória Benei

No comments by users.

policy, access, Report, service provision, vocational education and training, European union, National level, Hungary, Cedefop, career management skills, VET

Subject of the Policy document

National LLG Council_Policy Statement_HU

Reference data

Adopted/Released by

Year of adoption 2008

Reference number

Available at http://

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

The aim of this policy statement is to summarise the current status of LLG and the main development trends on the basis of a historical review and to lay the foundations of a mediumterm action plan.

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Viktória Benei

No comments by users.

policy, development, lifelong guidance, policy declaration, practice, recommendation, National level, Hungary, career management skills, access, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, schools, VET, higher education, adult education, employment, social inclusion

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

National Quality System for Guidance Provision - Portugal

Country

Portugal

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

The present initiative stands as the first articulated attempt to create a fully comprehensive system of quality assurance for guidance activity in Portugal.
Although previous measures existed, providing the quality of instruments and methods used in PES-supplied guidance, as well as basic training for professionals, there was a clear need for a more integrated instrument, with adequate monitoring tools.
Given its institutional mission of assuring the adaptability and adequacy of guidance provision, the national public employment service, IEFP, has taken initiative in establishing a national standard, which will also account for the visions of an advisory network of relevant participants.
Other entities will be enrolled in the project to guarantee diffusion and improvement of standards, namely: the Portuguese Ministry of Education; Universities with research on guidance; professional/scientific associations; inter-national structures.

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 objectives of the initiative can be resumed in three main points:

- Gaining efficacy and efficiency in guidance provision through implementation and constant check of clear standards, measures and practises
- Increasing autonomy of citizens in establishing critical learning and labour pathways, both by competence building and ease of access
- Sponsoring innovation through systematic research on critical factors in guidance for employability and job stability/success

The end target of the system is the guidance user, although we can also consider both guidance professionals and employment/educational service managers as being targeted by the measures undertaken.
The system is implemented by understanding guidance activity as part of a value chain and acting upon the phases of that chain, considering inputs, process and outputs. Primarily is considered the intervention of the PES and its creation of public value and economic spillovers.
Up-date of instruments, improvement of registry tools, accessibility, competence-assessment and of management information supports and fluxes are part of the methodology, affecting all aspects of guidance provision (materials, contents, technology).

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)

The system has a national scope and is sustained in an incremental and progressive logic. Firstly, its scope is the operation of the PES services with a test run in some of its main job and training centres. Secondly, the initiative should be generalised to the full PES network. A third step should enable the adjusted diffusion of the system to different sectors and networks, namely education and private operators. As early as step two, the standard is to be shared and discussed in a advisory forum of external participants.
Common standards and information tools are already under development.
Some key measures to undertake are:
- Set periodic updates and testing of diagnosis tools, guidance methodologies, information supports, on-line contents/tools
- Improvement of registry and information transitions that allows for interchangibility of user information while guarantying users' rights
- Improvement of accessibility by development of comprehensive e-guidance tools and the improvement of information to disabled people (paper and online) and immigrant users
- Set evaluation and update of guidance professionals' competencies, with strict standards and ethical conduct
- Development of adequate tools for the follow-up of guidance users
- Balanced score-cards for guidance management and multi-level modelling of supervised

Monitoring and evaluation

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

- What actors are involved?

Monitoring and evaluation is primarily undertaken by the Guidance Directorate of IEFP in articulation with other network participants.
A monitoring mechanism has been established, measuring the efficacy of the planned measures affecting inputs and process as well as a system of indicators aimed at measuring impact variables.
Input variables are monitored through direct control of measures and by user enquiring.
Process/organisation variables are monitored by tools' assessment, management enquiring and technical staff enquiring.
Outputs are monitored by follow-up of PES users (with and without guidance), defining samples that have as basic statistical unit the job/training centres. Follow-up focus on job stability/success, job mobility, autonomy assessment (labour and education), educational success, labour market queuing, entrepreneurship capacities.
A balanced scorecard has been defined with all the assessment dimensions deemed relevant.
A statistical modelling process is being developed to enable research-based adjustments to guidance policy, using as a methodology multi-level analysis.

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

Specific results: only planning and tools have been developed
Cost effectiveness: progressive implementation and thigh instrument control should allow for low costs of project and improvement of present cost-result ratio in provision
Innovative aspects: Research-based approach

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

Pedro Moreno da Fonseca

Role (in policy initiative)

Organization name

IEFP

Address

Phone

Fax

E-mail

pedro.fonseca@iefp.pt

Website address

No links specified.

Documents and publications

Attached files

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

Pedro Moreno da Fonseca PhD

No comments by users.

ELGPN, good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, career management skills, access, quality, evidence-based policy, co-operation, guidance in schools, people at risk, unemployed, employed, disadvantaged groups, career information, qualifications, effectiveness, Portugal

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE CAREER INFORMATION, GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES IN TURKEY

Country

Turkey

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

The “Career Information, Guidance and Counseling Services Cooperation Protocol” was signed and came into force on 26th October, 2004 with participation of all related stakeholders including public authorities, social partners, and NGO’s to provide coordination and cooperation on career information, guidance and counseling services. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in 2009 with participation of the organizations in the protocol in order to update the tasks and roles defined in the protocol and define the responsibilities for the National Career Information System (CIS). The MOU has been a significant effort and outcome to enhance the communication, coordination and collaboration of all the stakeholders.
It has links with all four LLG policy priorities:
Encourage the lifelong acquisition of career management skills,
Faciliate access by all citizens to guidance services,
Develop quality assurance in guidance provision,
Encourage coordination and cooperation among the various stakeholders
Participants are:
The Ministry of National Education, PES in the Ministry of Labor and Social Security , the Undersecretariat of the State Planning Agency, The Turkish Institute of Statistics the Higher Education Council, National Qualifications Authority, the Agency for Development and Support of Small and Middle Scale Industry, the National Productivity Center, the Turkey Union of Chambers and Stock Exchanges, the Confederation of Turkish Employers Unions, the Confederation Turkish of Tradesman and Artisans and the Confederation of Turkish Workers Unions

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 main aim of the MOU is to define and contribute to the development of the roles and responsibilities of all the the related stakeholders, government, social partners, universities and non-governmental organizations in the national web based CIS. Moreover, to also support an integrative approach to all the services in Turkey.
The target group includes individuals from every age and a wide range of groups such as students, youth adults, unemployed, employment seekers, people want to change career, retired, disabled, women, dropouts etc.
Methods applied to reach the objective are face-face interviews ,meetings, workshops and the process of writing the country reports (2003,2006)

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)

All the stakeholders will provide updated data periodically to the national web-based system.
Career guidance services will be carried out in a coordinated way
The stakeholders will share the materials and documents they develop.
The MOU covers the guidelines for the actions to be carried out by the stakeholders on lifelong career information, guidance and counseling services at national, local and international levels (Euroguidance, PLOTEUS etc.) and on the national web-based system to be coordinated by the Ministry of National Education. Moreover, the MOU has guidelines on how to carry on the services at the local level.

Monitoring and evaluation

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

- What actors are involved?

At governmental level, monitoring and evaluation will be carried out by the Career Guidance Services Development Unit established under the General Directorate for Special Education Guidance and Counseling Services of the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MONE) and by Occupation Information Commission, MEDAK) under the Turkey Employment Agency; and
At local level, by Guidance and Research Centers and Provincial Directorships of the Turkey Employment Agency
The strategic plan is in the process of development by all the stakeholders has outcome indicators to be used, ie. number of personnel trained for ICT skills, number of students who used web based self-assessment tools, etc.)

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

Inter-agency cooperation.
Cooperation, coordination and collaboration at the national level.
Effective use of human resources and finances.
Sustainability of the national web-based information system.
Awareness on guidance services
Increase in the quality of the services
Right to use of career guidance services
Leading to the development of the strategic plan as a joint effort of the stakeholders
Each institution will finance its own activities itself.
Although career guidance services have been provided mostly in educational institutions previously, hereafter individuals from every part of the society will have opportunity to have information about these services and benefit from them.

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 cooperation, coordination and collaboration of all stakeholders are a major success factor. Twelve public authorities, social partners and NGO’s came together and they undertook some tasks and responsibilities for providing career information, guidance and counseling services.
Lessons learnt are:
Team work
Importance of cooperation
Effective use of the resources
Use of stocked information

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

There are organizations providing career guidance services at local level. Also, structured and institutionalized career guidance providers are available. The MOU is an opportunity to further cooperation, coordination and collaboration among all the related the stakeholders. A web-based career information system has been established. A strategic plan for the career guidance services in Turkey is in the process of development.

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Ruhi KILIÇ, PhD

Role (in policy initiative)

Director General for Special Education Guidance and Counseling Services of the Turkish Ministry of National Education and also National Coordinator for Turkey for ELGPN

Organization name

Directorate General for Special Education Guidance and Counseling Services of the Turkish Ministry of National Education

Address

MEB Kampusu A Blok Beşevler/ANKARA/TÜRKİYE

Phone

+90 312 212 76 14-15

Fax

+90 312 213 13 56

E-mail

ruhikilic@meb.gov.tr, orgm@meb.gov.tr

Website address

http://orgm.meb.gov.tr

Documents and publications

Attached files

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

Seza Karaman, ELGPN National Representative for Turkey and the Career Guidance Services Development Unit in MONE

No comments by users.

ELGPN, good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, career management skills, access, quality, co-operation, co-ordination, career information, Turkey

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Learning & Working

Country

The Netherlands

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

The project directorate Learning & Working has developed a method to successfully translate EU- and national-level goals with regards to adult learning to concrete local-level actions. Stimulating and facilitating regional cooperation between local and regional governments, public employment services like the Centre for Work and Income (CWI) and the Social Security Agency (UWV), educational institutions, employers and employees is the heart of the project and has proven to be the key to it’s success.

• The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

The interdepartemental project directorate Learning & Working is a joint project of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment with the involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Food Quality. It was started in 2005 to take concrete steps forward to advance adult learning.

• Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other policies or documents)

Obviously the activities of the project directorate Learning & Working are closely connected to (the national implementation of) the Lisbon objectives on training and education, specifically the following:
- 20% of the Dutch between the ages of 25 and 64 should be following a course or educational programme in 2010. The Lisbon objectives state that 12,5% of the adult population should participate in education and training. In 2000 the Dutch percentage already exceeded this with a score of 15,6%. Therefore a more ambitious national goal was formulated for 2010.
- 50% of the working population should be highly educated in 2020.
- 80% of the Dutch working population should have a basic qualification (MBO level 2) in 2010.

• Participants

Adults in broadest sense

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 intention of the project directorate was to take concrete actions. This was implemented and stimulated by formulating concrete objectives that were to be reached at the end of the project period, initially planned at the start of 2008. The goals and objectives from the 2005 action programme related to the intended regional infrastructure for adult learning were the following:
- Ensuring that more young people and adults combine their job or job-seeking efforts with training and education that will lead them to acquiring a vocational and educational training qualification.
- Employers and employees, education providers and local governments in the region conclude collaboration agreements (at least ten in 2005) concerning the creation of work based learning in the region.
- These collaboration agreements will result in a total of 15,000 work-based learning programmes being realized before the start of 2008. This concerns learning-working programmes aimed at integration into the labour process or at earning an occupational qualification, possibly in combination with learning the Dutch language.
- The interdepartmental project directorate for Learning & Working has resolved to realize 20,000 APL procedures (Accreditation of Prior Learning) before the start of 2008.
- Setting up easily accessible and independent contact desks for learning and working in the region is to provide employed people, job-seekers and employers with low-threshold access to career advice, assessment of competencies acquired and education opportunities.

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)

When the project directorate Learning & Working was set up, it was decided that an unorthodox and dynamic approach was needed to achieve progress with adult learning. In the years before, there had been plenty of discussions, expert meetings had taken place and many policy documents were written, but very little action had been undertaken. The establishment of an interdepartemental and temporary project directorate was a change in approach. A pro-active, almost activistic, mentality focused on regional cooperation was chosen.

In the first phase of setting up an infrastructure many parties in the region (employers, employees, education providers and local governments) were consulted concerning concrete objectives. They were asked to establish these objectives in regional collaboration agreements. It started with establishing contacts with regional partners in four regions with regard to setting up such an infrastructure for APL, including career advice and services on educational opportunities. Based on the experiences gained in these four regions, similar initiatives were launched in other regions.

• Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)
Regional implementation , national driven

• Implementation (description)
Several actions were taken to encourage and involve more regional parties. Among others these steps were:
- Conduct discussions with interested parties to explore their interest in collaboration.
- Analyse existing initiatives in order to gain greater insight into the opportunities and possible bottlenecks in the process of launching extra work-based learning programmes in the region.
- Organize account management in order to support parties in finding partners and closing deals.
- Provide temporary financial contributions (subsidies) in order to stimulate and support the organizational capacity of parties.
- With regards to the project plans the account manager from the project directorate Learning & Working played various roles in the implementation ranging from support, steering and feedback up to evaluation.
- Gain more insight into and increase access to financial resources such as subsidies from the European Social Fund.
- Organize a national communication campaign in order to get individuals and employers to invest more in training and to support regional projects, make funds available to them for communication.
- Organise interactive meetings, workshops and work conferences for regional partners.
- Trace any (institutional) bottlenecks and, if possible, solve them or have them solved.
- Monitor, both quantitative and qualitative, results to distinguish successful (and unsuccessful) projects, so other projects may learn from their experiences.

Monitoring and evaluation

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

- What actors are involved?

An adult learning infrastructure was created virtually covering the whole country. Today there are over 40 partnerships. With the number of parties involved in each of these ranging from five to sometimes fifteen, there are literally hundreds of local organizations taking part in our effort to take adult learning in the Netherlands to the next level.

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

• Specific results
See above
• Cost effectiveness
Every two years the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science carries out a big research about the external valuation of directorates. This research evaluates directorates in six areas: Transparency, understandability of communication, quality of policy, quality of employees, customer driven and consistency. On all levels the project directorate Learning & Working scores better than other directorates

• Budget
Participating monitoring is used in combination with more formal monitoring by independent agencies. In other projects or subsidies, where government officials are far more monitoring from a distance, less FTE is necessary. The way account management is designed in this project, is more expensive.

• Innovative aspects
The approach of the project directorate Learning & Working is innovative in four different ways. First, the role of national government as both partner in the region and subsidiser. Second, both on the local as the national level a break with traditional structures. Third, as a result of more cooperation between regional and national level, difficulties are made explicit far more quickly. Fourth, partner selection is based on innovative criteria, which strengthens the progress of the regional projects.

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?)

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success? Up to 200 words)
Using a whole new approach compared to the years before, the target number of work-based trajectories was easily surpassed. In terms of network, infrastructure and innovation, much more was achieved than anticipated. Only APL lagged behind, though the number of trajectories completed tripled in comparison to the years before 2005.
• Lessons learnt
Even though an important push has been given, the project directorate’s activities in relation to the whole Dutch society remain modest. External spin-off effects and as mentioned in the previous paragraph further concept-development and implementation of our experiences into new policies are all needed to give this ‘big push’ in adult learning in the Netherlands.

Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative? Up to 100
words)
On top of the structural challenges we will have to deal with the impact of an economic crisis whose full scope remains to be grasped. The full package of actions by the Dutch government is still being discussed at the time of writing. It is very likely that the project directorate Learning & Working and it’s regional projects will be involved in the realisation of these actions.

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

In the Learning & Working project, no blue print was used to force the partner selection; an open intake was made possible. This bottom-up process formed the basis for composition of new partnerships in the region. Beside this innovative approach to forming new partnerships, it is obliged to involve employers or employer representatives. This enhances the sustainability for following years, when there will be no financial stimulus on cooperation. This way, companies themselves are involved in the project, which means more focus on human resource management and development.

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Amnon Owed

Role (in policy initiative)

Project Advisor

Organization name

Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment

Address

Anna van Hannoverstraat 4, 2595BJ The Hague

Phone

+31 70 333 5413

Fax

+31 70 3334318

E-mail

aowed@minszw.nl

Website address

http://www.leren-werken.nl

Documents and publications

- Carrying on with Learning & Working: Plan of approach 2008-2011
- Reinforcing Learning & Working: Action programme 2005-2007

Attached files

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

Peter van Deursen

No comments by users.

ELGPN, good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, career management skills, access, co-operation, employed, The Netherlands