The overall aims of the conference are to:
- review progress in the development of guidance provision in Member States within the framework of Education and Training 2010, paying particular attention to the implementation of the Council Resolution on lifelong guidance, and to cross sector issues of such provision in the context of lifelong learning;
- identify main achievements to date and key challenges remaining.
- consider how guidance can contribute the new lifelong learning programmes
The four main priorities of the Resolution :
- broadening access;
- refocusing provision on the competences to manage career and learning;
- quality assurance of guidance provision
- strengthening systems and structures at national and regional level,
provide an agenda which is relevant both within and across education and employment sectors.
Much of the work undertaken and in hand at European level concerns the latter two priorities. Specific tools have been developed to support quality assurance and strengthening systems and structures (e.g. the common aims and principles of lifelong guidance provision, draft common reference points for quality assurance systems for guidance provision, key features of a systems model of lifelong guidance). The Joint Actions 2004 projects are also designed to strengthen systems and structures at both national and European levels. The conference will provide an ideal opportunity to present new or refined tools related to these latter priorities and progress to date in the Joint Actions programmes. However the main focus of the conference will be on the first two priorities concerning access and the competences to manage career and learning. These priorities have to date been less well developed at European level.
To ensure informed and structured debate at the conference and to promote the development of meaningful outcomes grounded in experience, Member States have been invited by the conference organisers to provide by 15 June 2006 a brief update on progress made in the implementation of the Resolution priorities. Drawing on these updates and on other material available at European level, Cedefop will produce a conference paper/outline synthesis report showcasing progress made, identifying key remaining gaps and challenges at national and European levels and putting forward preliminary conclusions and recommendations. To facilitate the preparation of this synthesis, a template was provided for Member States to use in providing their update.
From an employability and workforce development perspective, there are reports, some mentioned previously, whose results should feed into the conference deliberations and conclusions:
- the Cedefop study on approaches to workplace guidance and workforce development in the EU (preliminary findings should be available in autumn 2006);
- and progress reports by the European Social Partners on the implementation of the guidance provision priority of its Framework for Competences and Qualifications.
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Within the broad goal of raising awareness of EU developments on guidance and promoting exchange of experience across Member States, the specific objectives of the conference would be:
- to support targeted reflection on achievements, gaps and challenges in lifelong guidance within and across sectors (especially as regards access and competences to manage career and learning) and further promote the implementation of the Resolution;
- to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of the Resolution by identifying and showcasing successful tools and methodologies addressing the Resolution priorities;
- to foster co-operation and promote a cross sector approach to lifelong guidance provision in Europe by bringing together key stakeholders including Ministries of Education and Employment, the social partners, civil society and thematic experts;
- to enhance co-operation at international level with relevant organisations, for example the OECD, ILO, UNESCO, in the development of policies and concrete actions for guidance throughout life.
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- publication of a Cedefop synthesis report providing an overview of progress made in the implementation of the Resolution and remaining challenges as well as the conclusions of the conference;
- identifying key areas for further action at EU and national levels to take forward lifelong guidance issues and the respective role and contribution of each partner (Mins. of Ed and EMPL, Social Partners etc).
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