Career Guidance Career Guidance

Current Context and Further Development Current Context and Further Development StrategyStrategy

Borivoje BaltezarevicBorivoje Baltezarevic

Career Guidance CenterCareer Guidance Center

University of NisUniversity of Nis

CONTEXT SPECIFIC:CONTEXT SPECIFIC:CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF EDUCATION AND CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF EDUCATION AND

EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT

Introduction of key concepts:Introduction of key concepts:

- knowledge based society knowledge based society the process of the process of transitiontransition from the industrial era into the from the industrial era into the information and communication era. Information as a key resource.information and communication era. Information as a key resource.

- ChangesChanges in the entire economic environment, economy’s needs and developmental in the entire economic environment, economy’s needs and developmental flows of new technologies demand adequately educated and trained individuals and flows of new technologies demand adequately educated and trained individuals and nation as a whole. nation as a whole.

- learning for employmentlearning for employment means developing abilities to find, keep and change job means developing abilities to find, keep and change job or to generate self-employment. These skills enable or to generate self-employment. These skills enable verticalvertical and and horizontalhorizontal mobility of employees in the labour market and their adaptability to changes in mobility of employees in the labour market and their adaptability to changes in technologies and new forms of work organization. That is a demand that each technologies and new forms of work organization. That is a demand that each

country and society encounter, whether they are a transitional country and society encounter, whether they are a transitional economy or noteconomy or not . .

CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENTEDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

Reflection on the national context:Reflection on the national context:

When it comes to the Republic of Serbia we can say that:When it comes to the Republic of Serbia we can say that:

development, reconstruction and transformation of the entire educationdevelopment, reconstruction and transformation of the entire education represents represents one of the prerequisites of the whole social and economic development of the one of the prerequisites of the whole social and economic development of the country as a whole. country as a whole.

The National Employment Strategy for the period 2005 – 2010 The National Employment Strategy for the period 2005 – 2010 is based, amongst is based, amongst other, on the assumption that a population in possession of other, on the assumption that a population in possession of social competencies social competencies necessary for a successful participation in the society, necessary for a successful participation in the society, and trained and adaptable and trained and adaptable labour forcelabour force, are both the prerequisite, and the condition of , are both the prerequisite, and the condition of a social a social and and economiceconomic transformationtransformation of the Republic of Serbia, its integration into the EU, and the of the Republic of Serbia, its integration into the EU, and the adequate response to the challenges adequate response to the challenges of technological development and global of technological development and global economy.economy.

CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT: EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT: Place of an Individual Place of an Individual

Within the Ever-changing Professional and Socio-Economic EnvironmentWithin the Ever-changing Professional and Socio-Economic Environment

Therefore, each participant in the process of education, but also in the process of work, Therefore, each participant in the process of education, but also in the process of work, poses the question:poses the question:

Q: WQ: What does the 21st century demand besides reading, writing and computer hat does the 21st century demand besides reading, writing and computer literacy skills?literacy skills?

The answer would be that, first of all, it demands of the individual The answer would be that, first of all, it demands of the individual to know how to use to know how to use knowledge and skills in the context of modern life.knowledge and skills in the context of modern life.

Successful economy requires the individuals to quickly and easily Successful economy requires the individuals to quickly and easily adaptadapt to the to the changeable demandschangeable demands of the world around them, but also to of the world around them, but also to knowknow those changes those changes and be able to and be able to managemanage them. them.

In short, today’s economy values and looks for In short, today’s economy values and looks for wide skill-basewide skill-base, including, including critical critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and decision making skills,thinking, problem solving, teamwork and decision making skills, flexibilityflexibility, , and and project workproject work. .

CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENTEDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

The problem ofThe problem of employing, employment employing, employment andand unemployment unemployment is one of the key issues is one of the key issues in every society’s and country’s development. Practically, that is the segment in every society’s and country’s development. Practically, that is the segment where where education education and and labor market labor market meet in the most direct and visible way. meet in the most direct and visible way.

For the For the countries in transitioncountries in transition, the employment issue takes on a much more dramatic , the employment issue takes on a much more dramatic form and connotation. Nevertheless, it is equally important to consider theform and connotation. Nevertheless, it is equally important to consider the labor labor marketmarket which, especially in societies in transition, has its which, especially in societies in transition, has its limitationslimitations, its , its complexitycomplexity and aggravating characteristics. and aggravating characteristics.

In that context, the field of career guidance and counseling becomes of a special In that context, the field of career guidance and counseling becomes of a special significance and function:significance and function:

CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENTEDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

In addressing the given challenges, it is necessary for the society’s key factors and In addressing the given challenges, it is necessary for the society’s key factors and stakeholdersstakeholders that deal with the country’s human potential to establish that deal with the country’s human potential to establish synergic synergic partnershippartnership within one document/action plan in the context of lifelong learning. within one document/action plan in the context of lifelong learning.

Career guidance and counseling are one of the Career guidance and counseling are one of the very basic instruments very basic instruments of human of human resources development, by which multiple goals are achieved:resources development, by which multiple goals are achieved:

- educational goals (improving the efficiency of the educational system)- educational goals (improving the efficiency of the educational system) - economic development goals - economic development goals - goals of social equality and inclusion - goals of social equality and inclusion

Career guidanceCareer guidance and and counselingcounseling contribute to: contribute to:- realization of the - realization of the elementary right to work;elementary right to work;- more efficient - more efficient investment in education and training;investment in education and training;- greater efficiency in the labour market, which is reflected by a greater - greater efficiency in the labour market, which is reflected by a greater employability and employability and

mobilitymobility of the labour force; of the labour force;- human capital and - human capital and labour developmentlabour development;;- - social inclusion and social equalitysocial inclusion and social equality of each individual; of each individual;- - active citizenshipactive citizenship..

CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIACAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

EU model:EU model:

European practice indicates the necessity of European practice indicates the necessity of a strong network of career guidance and a strong network of career guidance and counseling centrescounseling centres for young people who are still in the process of schooling, but for young people who are still in the process of schooling, but also for adults (the concept of also for adults (the concept of lifelong learninglifelong learning).).

Examples of Examples of best practicebest practice show that the functioning and cooperation of these centres show that the functioning and cooperation of these centres are are most efficiently coordinated most efficiently coordinated when they fall withinwhen they fall within

-educational system, -educational system,

-labour market institutions,-labour market institutions,

-local youth offices and non-profit sector, -local youth offices and non-profit sector,

which enables theirwhich enables their equal accessibility equal accessibility for all the categories of population: the for all the categories of population: the young, the unemployed and the employed that are in need of information and this young, the unemployed and the employed that are in need of information and this kind of expert support. kind of expert support.

CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE REPUBLIC OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIASERBIA

Career guidance and counsellingCareer guidance and counselling are new to the Republic of Serbia, because in their are new to the Republic of Serbia, because in their essence, they do essence, they do notnot fit the fit the traditional relationship between education and traditional relationship between education and labour market.labour market. This is especially evident today, when there are more and more This is especially evident today, when there are more and more discussions about a new concept which comprises discussions about a new concept which comprises career as a changeable career as a changeable categorycategory that quickly and easily changes due to the changes in employee’s that quickly and easily changes due to the changes in employee’s interests, competencies and values, but also due to the changes in work interests, competencies and values, but also due to the changes in work environment.environment.

Changeable career is different from the traditionalChangeable career is different from the traditional in many aspects:in many aspects:

- The job security is a- The job security is a dynamic dynamic, instead of a , instead of a static static category, in which the employee category, in which the employee and the employer use the possibilities of and the employer use the possibilities of continual professional developmentcontinual professional development and and improvement of work conditionsimprovement of work conditions

- Responsibility for the employee’s career does not belong only to the employer, but Responsibility for the employee’s career does not belong only to the employer, but also to the employee himself/herself;also to the employee himself/herself;

- Career becomes more flexible and more changeable, and it depends on the Career becomes more flexible and more changeable, and it depends on the willingness, abilities, knowledge and skills of each individual employee;willingness, abilities, knowledge and skills of each individual employee;

CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE REPUBLIC OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIASERBIA

Within that kind of concept of career, the career guidance and counselling process Within that kind of concept of career, the career guidance and counselling process itself represents:itself represents:

systematic innovationsystematic innovation – because through this process school reaches out to social – because through this process school reaches out to social partners and turns to outcomes-based education;partners and turns to outcomes-based education;

institutional innovationinstitutional innovation – because it can significantly influence the organization and – because it can significantly influence the organization and position of the educational institution in the local community, but it can also position of the educational institution in the local community, but it can also change the way educational institution is managed, through new forms of work and change the way educational institution is managed, through new forms of work and funding;funding;

curriculum innovationcurriculum innovation – by introducing through specific subjects’ contents or by – by introducing through specific subjects’ contents or by introducing a separate subject on career guidance;introducing a separate subject on career guidance;

..

NATIONAL STRATEGYNATIONAL STRATEGY

March 4th, 2010:

Pursuant to the Article 45, item 1 of the Law on Government (“Official Journal of Pursuant to the Article 45, item 1 of the Law on Government (“Official Journal of the Republic of Serbia”, No 55/05, 71/05 - amendment, 101/07 and 65/08),the Republic of Serbia”, No 55/05, 71/05 - amendment, 101/07 and 65/08),

The Government adopted:The Government adopted:

STRATEGY OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE STRATEGY OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIAREPUBLIC OF SERBIA

- establishes - establishes the system of career guidance and counseling the system of career guidance and counseling in the Republic of Serbia. The in the Republic of Serbia. The recommendations contained in this document are based on the already initiated activities of recommendations contained in this document are based on the already initiated activities of modernization and improvement of vocational education and training, adult education and modernization and improvement of vocational education and training, adult education and reform processes in the field of employmentreform processes in the field of employment ..

- direct result of National Employment Strategy of Serbia,, Strategy for Adult Education, and - direct result of National Employment Strategy of Serbia,, Strategy for Adult Education, and National Youth Strategy and the Action Plan for Implementation of the National Youth Strategy National Youth Strategy and the Action Plan for Implementation of the National Youth Strategy for the period 2009-2014, enacted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia. for the period 2009-2014, enacted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

CONCEPT, DEFINITION, AND ACTIVITIES OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND CONCEPT, DEFINITION, AND ACTIVITIES OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLINGCOUNSELLING

In countries with a tradition of professional orientation, the In countries with a tradition of professional orientation, the term “educational and term “educational and professional guidance and counselingprofessional guidance and counseling” is also used for” is also used for

“ “an organized activity that helps the individual realize his competencies and trains him to an organized activity that helps the individual realize his competencies and trains him to plan the appropriate steps to develop essential skills that will lead to personal, plan the appropriate steps to develop essential skills that will lead to personal, educational, economic, and social advancement for the individual, family, society and educational, economic, and social advancement for the individual, family, society and nationnation””

(Declaration on Educational and Vocational Guidance, International Association for (Declaration on Educational and Vocational Guidance, International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance, Paris, 2001). Educational and Vocational Guidance, Paris, 2001).

The same declaration emphasizes that it is a The same declaration emphasizes that it is a continuing processcontinuing process, and not a onetime intervention, , and not a onetime intervention, the the goal of whichgoal of which is to: is to:

-avoid or shorten periods of unemployment-avoid or shorten periods of unemployment -create equal possibilities for all-create equal possibilities for all -contribute to the wider and sustainable economic development. -contribute to the wider and sustainable economic development.

CONCEPT, DEFINITION, AND ACTIVITIES OF CAREER CONCEPT, DEFINITION, AND ACTIVITIES OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLINGGUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

The activities of career guidance and counseling in the Republic of Serbia can be classified The activities of career guidance and counseling in the Republic of Serbia can be classified in six in six categories:categories:

1)1)career informationcareer information is all information necessary for planning, achieving, and maintaining employment and is all information necessary for planning, achieving, and maintaining employment and volunteering. volunteering.

2) career education2) career education is received in educational institutions and it helps individuals understand their motives, is received in educational institutions and it helps individuals understand their motives, values, and the way in which they can contribute to the society they live in. values, and the way in which they can contribute to the society they live in.

3) career guidance 3) career guidance (as a specialized expert activity) helps individuals understand their own goals and (as a specialized expert activity) helps individuals understand their own goals and aspirations, their own identity, helps them make informed decisions, commit to activities, and manage aspirations, their own identity, helps them make informed decisions, commit to activities, and manage changes in their career whether they are planned or not. changes in their career whether they are planned or not.

4) 4) counseling for employment counseling for employment helps individuals helps individuals define immediate employment goalsdefine immediate employment goals , understand and engage , understand and engage in job training and gaining the needed skills and competencies, and acquire the skills needed for job in job training and gaining the needed skills and competencies, and acquire the skills needed for job searching and maintaining itsearching and maintaining it

55) job placement (mediation in employment) job placement (mediation in employment) is organizing or placing individuals in vacant job positions. It ) is organizing or placing individuals in vacant job positions. It can be organized through public institutions or private initiative. can be organized through public institutions or private initiative.

6) career guidance and counseling 6) career guidance and counseling for employees enables them to for employees enables them to advance in their careeradvance in their career, maintain their job , maintain their job and and move through the labour marketmove through the labour market. It also represents providing . It also represents providing support for employers support for employers in the in the process of process of professional education of employees professional education of employees when it is required by the work process and when it is required by the work process and organization. organization.

GOAL AND PRINCIPLES OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLINGGOAL AND PRINCIPLES OF CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

An An effective system of career guidance effective system of career guidance has to be regarded as has to be regarded as the basis for the the basis for the implementation of national lifelong learning policy and the realization of implementation of national lifelong learning policy and the realization of active employment policyactive employment policy

(Council of Ministers for Education and Youth, Resolution on Lifelong Learning, (Council of Ministers for Education and Youth, Resolution on Lifelong Learning, 2004). 2004).

According to the recent researches by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and According to the recent researches by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Training Foundation, career guidance and Development and the European Training Foundation, career guidance and counseling affirm and promote their role in achieving the following social goals:counseling affirm and promote their role in achieving the following social goals:

1)lifelong learning goal1)lifelong learning goal – by fighting against young – by fighting against young people leaving school people leaving school early, and early, and especially those from vulnerable social groups as defined by the National Youth especially those from vulnerable social groups as defined by the National Youth Strategy, and Strategy, and by providing an adequate base of knowledge and skills needed for by providing an adequate base of knowledge and skills needed for facing the challenges of creating a knowledge-based society facing the challenges of creating a knowledge-based society in the context of in the context of economic globalization, and by promoting the adequate economic globalization, and by promoting the adequate connectionconnection between between education, training, and the world of work;education, training, and the world of work;

2) 2) labor market goallabor market goal – by reducing the gap between offer and demand, by actively – by reducing the gap between offer and demand, by actively dealing with the unemployment issue, and improving the quality of labor force, its dealing with the unemployment issue, and improving the quality of labor force, its competitiveness and mobility in the field of work;competitiveness and mobility in the field of work;

PROVIDING CAREER GUIDANCE SERVICES AT THE LOCAL PROVIDING CAREER GUIDANCE SERVICES AT THE LOCAL LEVELLEVEL

One of the ways to make the access to career guidance and counseling services easier isOne of the ways to make the access to career guidance and counseling services easier is

to bring the services closer to users at the local levelto bring the services closer to users at the local level , i.e. place where they receive , i.e. place where they receive education, live or work.education, live or work.

Bringing the services Bringing the services closer to users closer to users is one of the prerequisites of their is one of the prerequisites of their improved improved quality and efficiencyquality and efficiency, by creating a network of service providers and taking into , by creating a network of service providers and taking into account the characteristics of each local community. account the characteristics of each local community.

Local Level: University of Nis: Local Level: University of Nis: Center for Career Center for Career DevelopmentDevelopment

Center for Career DevelopmentCenter for Career Development

Center for Career Development is an organizational unit of the University of Nis. Center for Center for Career Development is an organizational unit of the University of Nis. Center for career development was established to support students of all levels in development of career development was established to support students of all levels in development of skillsskills and and abilitiesabilities that are crucial for their employment, as well as  to that are crucial for their employment, as well as  to provide provide information information on education and scholarship opportunities, both national  and on education and scholarship opportunities, both national  and international.. The Center was international.. The Center was opened in June 2008opened in June 2008, with the help of Foundation /of , with the help of Foundation /of Crown Prince Alexander for Education and the University of Nottingham Crown Prince Alexander for Education and the University of Nottingham One of the key roles of the Center is One of the key roles of the Center is networking of the academic and business networking of the academic and business communitycommunity and providing information and services in support of more e cient  ffi and providing information and services in support of more e cient  ffi multi-multi-sector cooperationsector cooperation. .

Activities:Activities:

The Center monitors and analyses the student admission and e ciency of studying, ffiThe Center monitors and analyses the student admission and e ciency of studying, ffiprepares informative publications, internet presentations and other forms of introducing prepares informative publications, internet presentations and other forms of introducing the possibilities of studying at the University to the potential students, establishes the possibilities of studying at the University to the potential students, establishes contacts with relevant employment services, collects information on employment contacts with relevant employment services, collects information on employment opportunities for students, creates unique database on University alumni employed in opportunities for students, creates unique database on University alumni employed in country or abroad, organizes meeting of students and potential employers. Center has country or abroad, organizes meeting of students and potential employers. Center has its director and the corresponding council.its director and the corresponding council.Web portal of this center is Web portal of this center is www.karijera.ni.ac.rs

Local Level: Local Level: FURTHER DEVELOPMENTFURTHER DEVELOPMENT

Capacity BuildingCapacity Building

Taking into consideration that the Center is understaffed and with strictly limited absorption Taking into consideration that the Center is understaffed and with strictly limited absorption capacity, in order to answer the growing demands and provide the most efficient and capacity, in order to answer the growing demands and provide the most efficient and professional service, it needs to be able to increase its activities in each respective Sector, professional service, it needs to be able to increase its activities in each respective Sector, improve the expertise of its staff through various targeted trainings and exposure to good improve the expertise of its staff through various targeted trainings and exposure to good model practices from the European universities. The improvement of the mentioned aspects of model practices from the European universities. The improvement of the mentioned aspects of the Center will facilitate organization and wider implementation of training programs and the Center will facilitate organization and wider implementation of training programs and workshops for our students, employers and companies presentations etc.workshops for our students, employers and companies presentations etc.

The draft of general strategy for capacity building can be addressed through differentiated sectors, The draft of general strategy for capacity building can be addressed through differentiated sectors, according to their functions: according to their functions:

•• Sector for working with studentsSector for working with students•• Sector for cooperation with business community and economic entitiesSector for cooperation with business community and economic entities•• Sector for general functioning of the Centre (daily activities of the Centre, media cooperation Sector for general functioning of the Centre (daily activities of the Centre, media cooperation

and providing means for further development of the Centre)and providing means for further development of the Centre)

Local Level: Local Level: FURTHER DEVELOPMENTFURTHER DEVELOPMENT

The main goal of the Centre is toThe main goal of the Centre is to

- create the - create the multi-sector platform multi-sector platform to address the to address the improvement of the students’ employability improvement of the students’ employability in in a sustainable way through the system approach by a sustainable way through the system approach by connecting the academic and the connecting the academic and the business community.business community.

One of the modalities informing this strategy is student oriented, through supporting students and One of the modalities informing this strategy is student oriented, through supporting students and graduates in developing practical skill base and generating professional experience, as well as graduates in developing practical skill base and generating professional experience, as well as other added competitive assets. The other key activity underpinning the employability capacity of other added competitive assets. The other key activity underpinning the employability capacity of student population is focused on awareness raising and information dissemination of employment student population is focused on awareness raising and information dissemination of employment and further education possibilities (post-graduate studies, scholarships, internships, and further education possibilities (post-graduate studies, scholarships, internships, fellowships...) fellowships...)

The Center also aspires to introduce the The Center also aspires to introduce the ongoing dialogue between the students and ongoing dialogue between the students and employers employers aimed at bridging the gap existing in the employment, employment demand and aimed at bridging the gap existing in the employment, employment demand and absorption capacities, as well as to absorption capacities, as well as to help employers identify and better articulate their needs help employers identify and better articulate their needs in terms of demands of the future employees, their education and specific expertise. in terms of demands of the future employees, their education and specific expertise. There There is a range of services aimed at the employers so that the cooperation would be successful and a is a range of services aimed at the employers so that the cooperation would be successful and a long-term one. long-term one.