Policy mapping study

In the first months of the project we conducted an online survey among 159 young people (15-20 year old), 39 career guidance practitioners and 16 experts in the 7 partner countries – Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal and UK.

88% of the young people who took part in the survey say it is important for them to be informed about the jobs of the future and the changes in the world of work, but half of them currently don’t learn about them at school or informally. Only 1/3 of young people say they are aware of the LM trends and credible sources of information. In the same time, 58% feel informed or rather informed about future jobs, which is not the fact according to the majority of career practitioners and experts.

The survey confirms the importance of a wide spectrum of competences which young people need to possess, in order to be prepared for their future careers. Knowledge of labour market trends, self-awareness, flexibility and openness s to change are evaluated as the most important career skills for the future, all participants in the survey agree. Career planning and decision making skills are also very important for all groups. More than 90% of all respondents stress on the significance of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship spirit. Career guidance practitioners highlight positive attitude and analytical skills as crucial, while they are slightly less important.

Career guidance practitioners also need to prepare better for the future of jobs, the survey shows. More than 1/3 say their ability to apply digital tools is either “fair” (28%) or “needs improvement” (10%). One in ten career advisors admits they need to further develop their knowledge of labour market trends and resources, of young people’ needs, and ability to create new tools, designed for the new digital generation.

Currently, career guidance practitioners develop these competences through self-directed learning and on-the-go in their practice. Most respondents cannot identify specific web source of information and admit that “there is a lack of such a one-stop-platform, which adequately provides information on how to work with young people on this topic”. Except for online platforms with useful information, more than half would also use good practice example, trainings and training tools and resources, that might be applied in their work. 1/3 think career guidance contest are also helpful. This is an important message to policy makers to increase the provision of relevant and up-to-date continuous education and training, in order to ensure the quality of services is adequate to young people needs and market realities.

The findings of the survey are presented in our Policy Report, which maps the road toward a future-looking career guidance. Technological developments, societal changes and labour market transformations are only part of the challenges for traditional approaches to career guidance. The Future calls for a new paradigm for young people, educators and leaders. It is not enough to show children HOW the world is changing. They need to understand WHY it is changing, WHAT kind of challenges and jobs it will bring, what type of SKILLS it will require. Career guidance services need to transform to GUIDANDE TO THE FUTURE and guidance and education policy – to LEADERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE.

The report contains articles on different topics, such as the Global trends that shape the future job market; the challenges and role of career guidance practitioners; the potential impact of virtual worlds learning environments and other technology on the development of career management and transversal skills. It provides many examples of innovative online career games and resources. The methodology behind the Future Time Traveller game is also explained.

The report is freely available in English and in all partner languages. Its results have been discussed with career guidance experts, key stakeholders and practitioners during the national policy seminars.