In the face of the current health crisis and the far-reaching labour market transformations it entails, the European Union and its Member States are taking action to provide all people in Europe with stronger support to employment, including upskilling and reskilling opportunities. Cedefop, in cooperation with the European Commission and the Member States, has been looking into career guidance provision in this context.

Many EU countries and regions are working towards comprehensive and coordinated learning support systems interlinking employment, education and training, career guidance and inclusion policies. Cedefop supports countries’ efforts to establish systems which allow people to sustain lifelong learning and working careers. Such systems comprise different building blocks, from guidance at all crossroads of life to fostering career management skills, and from validation and recognition of prior learning to all kinds of financial incentives and to outreach measures for the most vulnerable.

Today, more than ever, people need to be able to rely on accessible, high-quality and comprehensive support to navigate their learning and working careers in the face of economic and societal challenges, and to find new opportunities. Beyond this, support for learning and career development should lead to meaningful employment and full engagement in society, creating the conditions for a high level of collective and individual well-being and life satisfaction.

Read more in Cedefop’s latest briefing note.