JOINT RESEARCH REPORT: ICCDPP, OECD, UNESCO, ILO, EC, CEDEFOP, ETF
 

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 findings show 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 supporting distance access to services. There was increased cooperation among career guidance practitioners and with other professionals.

A big increase in the demand for services was noted, especially from final year school students, the unemployed, and workers most at risk of unemployment. Respondents highlighted the need for individualised services: career counselling, coaching, mentoring, and psychosocial support, given the uncertainty created by the pandemic. But problems of access to services exist, especially for persons with disabilities, migrants and refugees; the pandemic has made access more difficult for these groups.

Post-pandemic policy and systems considerations include:

• the pandemic as an opportunity for reform of career guidance systems and practices
• improving access and outreach, especially for individualised support for the most vulnerable groups
• increasing career learning opportunities for young people who are now faced with a very turbulent and complex labour market
• increasing attention to career guidance provision for supporting the re-skilling and up-skilling of adults
• the strategic role of international and donor organisations in supporting national policy and systems development for career guidance provision.