Context
Despite the successful market economy reforms and economic growth of recent years, the situation on the Serbian labour market remains tense. Unemployment and unfilled jobs are a reflection of the skills mismatch between workforce supply and demand. Potential employees on the one side no longer match the available jobs on the other. Young people must therefore be given the assistance they need to decide on their future careers, based on an adequate overview of the changing educational, training and employment markets and awareness of their own interests and strengths.
To close the gap between the nation’s educational and vocational training systems and labour market demand, the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, the Ministry for Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Economic and Regional Development drafted a career counselling strategy that was adopted in March 2010.
Career guidance also forms an important part of the national strategy for youth and the strategy for developing vocational education and training previously defined by the Serbian Government. Career guidance is now an integral part of the Law on the Foundations of the Education System, the Law on Primary Education, the Law on Secondary Education and the 2020 education strategy.
Objective
A combined in-school and out-of-school system providing career guidance to young people on the threshold from middle school to high school or to commencing employment has been introduced nationwide.
Approach
The project supports and advises the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and the Ministry for Youth and Sports. It collaborates with national vocational educational and training institutions, the national employment agency and chambers of industry and commerce. Both regionally and locally, the project’s most important partners are schools, youth offices, business enterprises and, in some instances, non-governmental organisations.
The intention in building a career guidance system is to improve young people’s knowledge of their own skills and offer comprehensive vocational information and practical experience in selected companies. Equipped in this way, young students at the transition from middle school to high school are able to make more informed career choices and to plan their own careers more knowledgeably. The potential impacts include reducing youth unemployment and raising income, thereby reducing poverty.
Results achieved so far
In-school measures
• 3,000 multipliers such as teachers, school educationalists and school psychologists have undergone training. In surveys, these multipliers have commented positively on the value of the skills they have gained. Teachers incorporate career guidance into language, IT and art lessons.
• The 5-phase method of career guidance in schools has been introduced and is being continuously improved. Teaching modules for career guidance and planning for final-year students have been introduced. As a result of the career guidance programme, 95,000 young people have gained initial work experience and benefited from learning experiences that will stand them in good stead for their future careers.
• A monitoring system for career guidance in schools has been established. It shows that young people are acting more independently when choosing their future career path.
Out-of-school measures
• Peer multipliers in out-of-school youth work have undergone training with a view to implementing action-focused training aimed at vocational guidance in accordance with the 5-phase model. Services include peer services, career information and fostering contacts with companies.
• The project has supported networking and experience-sharing between all relevant local actors in youth work, including youth centres. For example, 36 communities have established a well-functioning network with companies in order to help each other implement measures.
• Teaching programmes for youth leaders and other actors have been developed and introduced. As part of this, tailored training programmes for out-of-school measures and information stands have been developed, especially to reach marginalised groups. This programme has been well received due to the placement of students in the youth offices, where they have carried out peer workshops with other young people who still need help in making their future career choices.
• A monitoring system for out-of-school career guidance has been established. As a result of the relaxed atmosphere of the youth offices, (older) young people and marginalised groups in particular can share information more effectively.