Career guidance policy and practice in the pandemic: results of a joint international survey – June to August 2020
This report, recently published through CEDEFOP, captures changes in career guidance policies, systems and practices arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, as observed across 93 countries globally between the end of June and the beginning of August 2020.
The research shows that career guidance systems received some policy attention and increased funding in several countries enabling them to adapt from mainly physical to mainly online services, and enabling easier distance access to services. There was increased cooperation among career guidance practitioners and with other professionals.
Increased demand for services was noted, especially from school students, the unemployed, and workers most at risk of unemployment. Respondents highlighted the need for individualised services, given the uncertainty created by the pandemic: career counselling, coaching, mentoring, and psychosocial support. But problems of access to services exist, especially for persons with disabilities, migrants and refugees, and the pandemic has made it more difficult for these groups to access services.
- the pandemic as an opportunity for reform of career guidance systems
- improving access and outreach, especially individualised support for the most vulnerable groups
- increasing career learning opportunities for young people, faced with a very turbulent labour market
- increased attention to be given to career guidance in supporting adult re-skilling and up-skilling
- the strategic role of international and donor organisations in supporting national policy and systems development for career guidance provision.
