Slovenia: initiatives to promote counselling service for adult education

Adult education guidance has had a long tradition in Slovenia, mainly through the 20 years of work and experience of the Adult education guidance  centres (ISIOs) and the Centres for self-directed learning (SSUs). In 2021 it became a free public service, facilitated by 35 adult education (AE) providers. By 2023, more than 240 000 adults had used the free public service for adult education guidance, with more than 4 000 counselling groups offered by around 170 trained counsellors.

AE guidance remains an important national goal, which is continuously in the centre of interest. Initiatives supporting this goal include the ‘Days of guidance for learning’ (#svetujemoZAznanje), a joint promotional activity organised by the Slovenian Institute for Adult Education (ACS) and the 35 AE guidance providers, which took place from 20 to 22 September 2023. The purpose of the ‘Days of guidance for learning’ was to inform adults of the resources available to them for counselling, learning and education. The content of such events typically includes promotion of, and information about:

• enrolment in formal and non-formal education programmes and other forms of education;
• assessment and documentation of previously acquired knowledge;
• counselling for career planning and development;
• self-learning opportunities;
• possibilities of co-financing education/training.

Over these 3 days more than 200 different promotional and training events were held, with more than 2 500 participants attending, mostly over the age of 55. This year’s focus was on digital skills with various activities aimed at informing adults about the ways to acquire digital competences for free under the slogan ‘Digital skills day’.

Some impactful events in this realm were:

• the digital security workshop helping participants acquire the necessary skills related to the safe use of the internet by e.g. introducing and recognising online scams and fraud, computer and smartphone security settings;
• the digital inclusion of Roma girls and women in a workshop focused on teaching basic digital skills, such as using a computer, surfing the web, using email, working with word processors, security, online etiquette and basic programming;
• mobile heroes from the Adult Education Learning Centre Velenje helping those over 55 use smartphones, email, social media, and access online health services.

‘Days of guidance for learning’ were promoted in various ways: on national television, through specially prepared promotional leaflets, and on the social networks of all 35 AE guidance providers and the ACS.

Despite these efforts, the upskilling of adults – especially those belonging to less educated and more vulnerable groups – remains critical, as adult education counsellors noted a rise in migrants in 2023, mainly from former Yugoslavian republics and Ukraine, seeking aid in skill recognition, Slovenian language learning, and vocational training for improved job prospects. More specifically, 35.5% of vulnerable adults were migrants, so counsellors had to receive advanced training focusing on intercultural skills and e-tools for aiding immigrants.

These conditions motivated providers of AE guidance services to focus on supporting vulnerable adults, especially immigrants, in accessing training to acquire the skills needed in the labour market, in particular digital competences. For example, the ACS compiled updated information on immigrant-related organisations and programmes, including learning Slovene as a second and foreign language, and integration initiatives such as the Initial integration of migrants programme. These initiatives aim to guarantee inclusion in the field of adult education guidance as well.

Read more

• Days of guidance for learning uncover the path to new knowledge
• Guidelines for implementing adult education guidance as a public service
• Svetujemo za znanje (Adult Education Guidance as a Public Service web page, in Slovenian language)
• Initial integration of migrants (programme in Slovenian language)
• Slovene as a second and foreign language (programme in Slovenian language)