Career guidance in VET in SLOVENIA
Maruša Goršak; Kadis d.o.o
SLOVENIA
Slovenia
Population: 2.025.866 million inhabitants
Currency: Euro
Anthem: Zdravljica
Republic of Slovenia
Official language: Slovenian Capital: LjubljanaPolitical system: parliamentary republicMember of European Union (since 2004)
Tourism
LJUBLJANA
Biodiversity
Interesting facts 54% of the country is covered by forests Mt. Triglav (height of 2863 m) forms the highest peak in the
Slovenian Alps Slovenia is home to as many as 260 waterfalls (Boka is the
highest one) The vine seen growing in Maribor's old town is believed to
the oldest vine in the world (400 years old) Surface of SI represents less than 0,004% of Earth surface,
Slovenes represent only 0,033% of humankind, 1% of all known species live in SI and more than 2% of continental species live in SI (in other words every 50th continental species lives in SI)
Structure of Slovenian education system
The history of career guidance
• Vocational guidance in Slovenia has a long tradition, which began in the 1950s with the establishment of Vocational Guidance Services in the Regional Employment Services.
• In 1960s and 1970s counselling services were introduced in primary and secondary schools.
• The responsibility for the financing of guidance in schools lies with the Ministry for Education, Science and Sport
Legal framework for implemanting career guidance in VET
• Organization and Financing of Education Act
• Minimal Standards for Guidance in Secondary Schools which define the guidance programmes in secondary schools in Slovenia and include:– various information activities– lessons on career-related issues (such as career development, further
education and employment possibilities)– work with self-help guidance tools– psychological testing– individual career counselling– visits to employers
Minimum standards
School counselors should provide:•Group lessons on career guidance
– 1st and 2st year= 2 hours– 3rd year = 3 hours– 4th year = 4 hours
•at least one individual counseling session for each student in the last grade•up to date materials in the library
Career guidance and Kadis
– organization operating in the field of human resources and also has wide experience in recruitment, legal consulting and know-how in HR management and training;
– More than 15 years of experience in employability and career guidance programs;
– main provider of employability skills trainings in central Slovenia;
– Designing and executing various workshops and lectures for different target groups (young unemployed and other job seekers, pupils, students, parents, career counselors)
Weaknesses of career guidance system:• The accessibility of guidance in schools is not high enough.
The reason are: plenty of other tasks that guidance counsellors have to perform, high number of students, a belief that students in vocational schools have already made their vocational/career decision;
• The fact that career education still has a marginal position in the present school curriculum - there are no career guidance courses;
• The lack of quality system, specialised training and education in the field of career guidance;
• The absence of a clear and coordinated guidance policy at national, regional and local levels.