1. Career counselling in VET schools of Estonia Margit Paakspuu

2. Changes in VET There have been remarkable developments in the Estonian vocational education in recent years. The material and technical basis has improved considerably One of the main directions for the renewal of vocational education is to offer students, in addition to a narrow speciality, somewhat broader training compared to that given before How to encourage students to be more self- reflective?

3. Obstacles The vocational education and training (VET) system is looking forward to the development of a coherent and comprehensive career guidance system in general schools that would enable the students to find their true calling. In general schools the work of career counsellors is often biased and targeted at keeping the students in their own secondary school; after graduation they tend to direct the students to the university, rather than offering a comprehensive career model Many vocational school graduates never take up work in their specific fields, their school certificates often having a ‘signalling’ meaning and initial vocational training only being a foundation for their later life

4. Careers education activity plan The Innove Foundation launched the development activities for careers development in vocational schools in 2005. Seven vocational schools tested two things during this period: careers education as an elective course and a careers education activity plan (careers days, information seminars and the provision of other support services for students) The vocational schools found the activity plan to be useful as it helped in making the planning of careers education more systematic and comprehensive however it needed to be more carefully planned, taking into account the specific nature of their school i.e. its specialities and the diverse target groups.

5. Content of careers education in the framework of vocational education Knowing oneself: personal characteristics, self-analysis, motivation, values and the development of adequate self- assessment The student’s familiarity with learning possibilities and the world of work Planning and decision-making The drafting of a career plan: short-term and long-term career plan

6. 17 regional career guidance centres Coordinated by National Recource Centre of Guidance (Innove) Provide guidance to people up to 26 years Individual counselling Group counselling

7. Career information specialist Help to fulfil the targetgroups’ need for information concerning education, labour market and professions. Deliver career lessons,instruct clients’ career information search, manage information flows and co-operation with relevant networks Organise thematic events, conduct client satisfaction surveys Career counsellor Help and support people in career planning, including in making decisions about choosing a profession, work, training and education, developing job search skills and forming an effective personal career planning style.

8. http://www.innove.ee/career-services/career- services-in-estonia_0