This report presents the findings from a research study that set out to review the range of career guidance provision that supports workforce development across the EU-25 Member States and to identify innovative or ‘best practice’ provision. The report includes 35 case studies and these provide accounts of practice by employers, trade unions and the public sector as well as other intermediary organisations, such as outplacement consultancies, professional associations and industry sector bodies.

The Lisbon agenda for growth and jobs requires that citizens are equipped to manage labour market changes more effectively, are given opportunities to develop their skills, and gain access to information, advice and guidance to handle their careers. If the shift to a knowledge economy is to be accompanied by greater social cohesion, a key question is how to empower adults to make appropriate and well-informed learning and career choices.

Since the  Resolution on Lifelong Guidance of the EU Council of Education Ministers (Council of the European Union, 2004), much has been achieved in the Member States in improving access to career guidance and quality of provision. However, as shown by international reviews, only a tiny proportion of the workforce in Europe has access to some form of guidance. To support lifelong learning and active participation in the labour market, career guidance services need to be further developed and offered to employed people.

This review of guidance, published by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop),  provision across 25 Member States identifies best practices, looks into the impact of ICT and examines the role played by intermediaries such as trade unions and private consultancies. It points out that much career support is informal, includes several case studies, ranging from large companies such as Nokia (Finland) and Krka (Slovenia) to trade union involvement in Germany, Denmark, the UK and the Czech Republic.

The report analyses main aspects such as the development of knowledge economy, and the impact of changing expectations on career assumptions. The report concludes that a core business reason for paying attention to career development issues is to manage an uncertain future more effectively. Being proactive and thinking ahead of time is part of a strategy for achieving resilience in the face of uncertainty. However, it also points out that it is apparent that there are often no clear processes for career development inside many organisations. The study shows that in many cases employees will get help and advice from managers and informally. It is also assumed that normal training and job filling processes give them the access and information they need about job opportunities.

There are three main conclusions from this research that have important implications for the future development of policy and practice:

• The lack of an effective strategy for providing career development support to the majority of the employed workforce.
• The increasing role for intermediary organisations in the provision of career development support.
• The importance of individuals being able to acquire the skills necessary for successful career management.

Lack of understanding of the business and economic case for more effective career development support is also critical. The key message for employers is that helping their employees and managers use and develop the talents and skills of their workforce will attract and retain a more skilled and more highly-motivated workforce, and lead to their employees being better utilised and more productive.

This research builds on the series of studies carried out by the Cedefop, the Career Guidance Policy Review within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Bank and the European Training Foundation which identified employed people as one of the groups in the population least likely to have access to guidance provision.

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop)

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) is the European Union's reference Centre for vocational education and training. We provide information on and analyses of vocational education and training systems, policies, research and practice. In relation to career guidance Cedefop is committed, in cooperation with key stakeholders at national and European level, to encourage further reflection and development of guidance and employment, through progress review, analysis of practices and mutual learning.