EU RESOURCES FOR CAREER GUIDANCE PRACTITIONERS

DESCRIPTION | CEDEFOP

CEDEFOP is one of the EU’s decentralised agencies. Founded in 1975 and based in Greece since 1995, CEDEFOP supports the promotion, development and implementation of the Union policy in the field of vocational education and training (VET) as well as skills and qualifications policies by working together with the Commission, Member States and social partners. To this end, it enhances and disseminates knowledge, provides evidence and services for policy-making, including research-based conclusions, and facilitates knowledge sharing among and between EU and national actors.

DESCRIPTION | CEDEFOP | CAREERSNET

CAREERSNET was created to collect comparable and reliable information on a European scale in the field of lifelong guidance and career development issues. The gathered information and analysis aim at identification of gaps and solutions, beyond a snapshot of national guidance systems.

DESCRIPTION | CEDEFOP | MOBILITY SCOREBOARD DATABASE

The MOBILITY SCOREBOARD DATABASE for initial vocational education and training (IVET) is a tool for assisting policy-making in the broad area of international learning mobility in IVET. It is intended for: policy-makers (both at national and EU levels); 'mobility users', i.e. IVET learners’ organisations and mobility organisers (VET institutions, mobility agencies, companies involved in mobility, guidance institutions, staff involved in organising mobility activities); experts, researchers, and the wider public.

DESCRIPTION | NATIONAL ACADEMIC RECOGNITION INFORMATION CENTRES (NARIC)

The NARIC network provides information concerning the recognition of diplomas and periods of study undertaken in other European countries as well as advice on foreign academic diplomas in the country where the NARIC is established. The NARIC network provides authoritative advice to anyone travelling abroad for the purposes of work or further education, but also to institutions, students, advisers, parents, teachers and prospective employers.

The European Commission supports the activities of the NARIC network through the exchange of information and experience between countries, the identification of good practices, the comparative analysis of systems and policies in this field, and the discussion and analysis of matters of common educational policy interest.

ENIC (European Network of Information Centres) and NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centres in the European Union) Networks are the result of an ongoing collaboration between the national information centres on academic recognition of qualifications of in total 56 countries.

National information centres facilitate access to authoritative and accurate information on the higher education system and qualifications of the country in which it is located, on the higher education systems and qualifications of the other Parties, and give advice or information on recognition matters and assessment of qualifications, in accordance with national laws and regulations. In some cases countries may also mandate their national information centre to evaluate qualifications held by individuals, and thus issue recognition advice/recommendation or legally-binding recognition decisions.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION > ELECTRONIC PLATFORM FOR ADULT LEARNING IN EUROPE (EPALE)

The ELECTRONIC PLATFORM FOR ADULT LEARNING IN EUROPE (EPALE) is a community of adult learning professionals which supports and strengthens the adult learning professions. The platform enables members to connect with and learn from colleagues across Europe through its many different contents. EPALE provides a wealth of high-quality, accurate information relevant to adult learning practitioners and allows professionals to share their content with the community. On a day-to-day basis, EPALE is managed by a Central Support Team with the help of 39 National Support Teams across Europe.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (EQF)

The EQF is an 8-level, learning outcomes-based framework for all types of qualifications that serves as a translation tool between different national qualifications frameworks. This framework helps improve transparency, comparability and portability of people’s qualifications and makes it possible to compare qualifications from different countries and institutions. The EQF covers all types and all levels of qualifications and the use of learning outcomes makes it clear what a person knows, understands and is able to do. The level increases according to the level of proficiency, level 1 is the lowest and 8 the highest level. Most importantly the EQF is closely linked to national qualifications frameworks, this way it can provide a comprehensive map of all types and levels of qualifications in Europe, which are increasingly accessible through qualification databases. The EU developed the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) as a translation tool to make national qualifications easier to understand and more comparable. The EQF seeks to support cross-border mobility of learners and workers, promote lifelong learning and professional development across Europe.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION > ERASMUS+

ERASMUS+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. This is nearly double the funding compared to its predecessor programme (2014-2020). The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda. The programme also supports the European Pillar of Social Rights, implements the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and develops the European dimension in sport. ERASMUS+ offers mobility and cooperation opportunities in higher education, vocational education and training, school education (including early childhood education and care), adult education, youth, and sport. Detailed information on these opportunities, including eligibility criteria, is available in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide.

DESCRIPTION | ONLINE LANGUAGE SUPPORT (OLS)

The ONLINE LANGUAGE SUPPORT (OLS) is designed to help Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps participants improve their knowledge of the language in which they will work, study or volunteer abroad so that they can make the most out of this experience.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION > EUROPEAN SKILLS, COMPETENCES, QUALIFICATIONS AND OCCUPATIONS (ESCO) 

ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations) is the European multilingual classification of Skills, Competences and Occupations. ESCO works as a dictionary, describing, identifying and classifying professional occupations and skills. The aim of ESCO is to support job mobility across Europe by offering a “common language” on occupations and skills that can be used by different stakeholders on employment and education and training topics.

Those concepts and the relationships between them can be understood by electronic systems, which allows different online platforms to use ESCO for services like matching jobseekers to jobs on the basis of their skills, suggesting trainings to people who want to reskill or upskill etc.

The aim of ESCO is to support job mobility across Europe and therefore a more integrated and efficient labour market, by offering a “common language” on occupations and skills that can be used by different stakeholders on employment and education and training topics.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND PLUS (ESF+)

The EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND PLUS (ESF+) is the European Union (EU)’s main instrument for investing in people and supporting the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN TRAINING FOUNDATION (ETF) 

The EUROPEAN TRAINING FOUNDATION (ETF) is a unique, expert EU agency supporting human capital development in countries neighbouring the European Union. For over 30 years, the ETF has been helping people develop skills for life and work by turning EU values and policy priorities into action through education, training, and employment reform. Based in Turin, Italy, the ETF has been operational since 1994.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION > eTwinning

eTwinning is a community for schools, an online space where schools can collaborate. eTwinning provides a safe and free platform for teachers and pupils across Europe to work together on projects, discuss in online groups, exchange best practice and develop their professional skills. The eTwinning community is open to school staff, including professionals working in early childhood education and care (ECEC) and initial vocational education and training (IVET), in eTwinning countries. Validated eTwinners gain access to the restricted eTwinning area (My eTwinning) and other specialised features on the European School Education Platform. eTwinning also offers opportunities for teacher educators and student teachers at initial teacher education (ITE) institutions to get involved in eTwinning. 

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION > EURAXESS

EURAXESS is a platform for researchers, entrepreneurs, universities and businesses to interact with each other. Packed with information, EURAXESS covers mobility issues for researchers and entrepreneurs, allows universities and businesses to find the right talent, and connects people, projects and funding. The EURAXESS website offers information about funding schemes across Europe for research posts, fellowships and doctoral studies. EURAXESS is the European Union’s (EU) website for researchers wishing to pursue their research careers in Europe. On EURAXESS, you can find information about funding and scholarships for research programmes, as well as advice on planning your move to Europe as a professional researcher. You can also search through over 40,000 research jobs per year in universities, research institutes and industry across Europe. As well as the main EURAXESS website, there are national websites for 40 countries in Europe, providing more detailed information about each country.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES (EURES)

EURES is a cooperation network designed to facilitate the free movement of workers within the EU-27 countries plus Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Members and Partners in the network may include Public Employment Services (PES), Private employment services (PRES), trade unions, employers' organisations and other relevant actors in the labour market. The Members and Partners provide information, placement and recruitment services to employers and jobseekers whereas the European and National Coordination Offices oversee the organisation of the activities at European and national level respectively. EURES has an important role to play in providing specific information and facilitating placements for the benefit of employers and frontier workers in European cross-border regions. 

In practice EURES provides its services through the portal and through a human network of around 1000 EURES advisers that are in daily contact with jobseekers and employers across Europe.

DESCRIPTION | EUR-Lex (Access to European Union law)

EUR-Lex is your online gateway to EU Law. It provides the official and most comprehensive access to EU legal documents. It is available in all of the EU’s 24 official languages and is updated daily. EUR-Lex gives you access to all the editions of the Official Journal of the European Union (Official Journal) dating back to the very first edition of December 1952. Since 1st July 2013, the electronic edition of the Official Journal published on EUR-Lex is authentic and produces legal effects. It also helps you to understand EU Law by providing: the main stages of the procedures leading to the adoption of legal acts, consolidated texts which combine the initial legal acts and all their amendments into single documents, over 2000 Summaries of EU legislation that explain EU legislation in a plain, easy-to-read and concise way.

DESCRIPTION | EURODESK

European youth information network in 36 countries was created in 1990. As a support organisation to Erasmus+, EURODESK makes information on learning mobility comprehensive and accessible to young people and those who work with them.

DESCRIPTION | EURODESK QUALIFYING TRAINING PROGRAMME

The Eurodesk Qualifying Training Programme (QTP) aims to support Eurodesk multipliers with basic knowledge, skills and values that are relevant to inform, guide and empower young people to participate in international mobility opportunities.

DESCRIPTION | EUROGUIDANCE

EUROGUIDANCE is a cooperation network that promotes the European dimension of guidance and the professional development of practitioners. Euroguidance supports the development of guidance practitioner’s skills and promotes international mobility for study and training purposes. It also promotes the exchange of information on national guidance systems and on study and training opportunities in the countries joining the network. Coordinated by the European Commission, EG operates in 38 countries through the National Guidance and Information Centres. 

DESCRIPTION | EUROPASS

EUROPASS is a free online tool for presenting skills and planning your learning or career in Europe. The platform is available in more than 30 European languages and serves to support people to take the next step in their professional development. The aim of EUROPASS is to help European citizens to identify their skills and competences, present them in a transparent way, and apply for jobs or find suitable learning opportunities throughout Europe. The EUROPASS portal also provides information on the most important issues relating to education and employment, including information on the recognition and equivalence of qualifications, in different European countries.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPE DIRECT

EUROPE DIRECT centres help bring the European Union closer to people on the ground and help facilitate their participation in debates on the future of the EU. The centres answer questions about EU policies, programmes and priorities. Staff in the centres are ready to proactively engage with citizens and stakeholders so that they feel more involved in the European project. This is a network of over 400 information centres in the 27 Member States. Information on practical rights under EU law.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR ADULT LEARNING

The ERASMUS+ programme offers participating countries the possibility to apply for an ERASMUS+ grant to support the work of the national coordinators for adult learning. The Erasmus+ programme usually covers a grant per country for a two-year work programme.The main objective of the role of National coordinators for adult learning is to develop effective liaison with the relevant stakeholders in their countries, with a view to improving coherence between policies on adult learning and broader socio-economic policies.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION | STUDY IN EUROPE

EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S website STUDY IN EUROPE provides information about how to plan and complete higher education studies in Europe. Discover the fields of study and qualifications on offer, and essential information like entry requirements, application deadlines and start dates. Website provides information about scholarships and funding (how to finance studies in Europe), accomodation (guidance on types of accomodation and costs involved), higher education in Europe (grading, costs, course content) and other related topics. This site is managed by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC).

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION | EMPLOYMENT SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND INCLUSION

A useful website managed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), which is responsible for EU policy on employment, social affairs, skills, labour mobility, inclusion and the related EU funding programmes.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION > CULTURE MOVES EUROPE

CULTURE MOVES EUROPE is a mobility scheme that supports individual mobility and residency projects across CREATIVE EUROPE countries, territories and regions. It gives grants for artists and cultural professionals to travel and carry out a project in another CREATIVE EUROPE country. CULTURE MOVES EUROPE is funded by the CREATIVE EUROPE programme of the European Union and is implemented by the Goethe-Institut. CREATIVE EUROPE invests in actions that reinforce cultural diversity and respond to the needs and challenges of the cultural and creative sectors.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION > RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

A website managed by the EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) features useful information about funding, projects and partnerships.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS

The EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS (ESC) is an EU funding programme for young people wishing to engage in solidary activities in a variety of areas. These range from helping the disadvantaged to humanitarian aid, as well as contributing to health and environmental action across the EU and beyond. The EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS finances volunteering (including humanitarian aid) and solidary projects. It is open to individuals aged 18 to 30 (35 for humanitarian aid) and to organisations in EU and partner countries.

DESCRIPTION | Official website of the European Union

The official website of the EUROPEAN UNION is managed by the Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM). Discover how EU programmes can help you study, train, work or volunteer in another EU country. The motto of the site: “Your gateway to the European Union”.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN YOUTH PORTAL

The EUROPEAN YOUTH PORTAL offers European and country level information about opportunities and initiatives that are of interest to young people who are living, learning and working in Europe.

It addresses young people, but also other stakeholders working in the field of youth (youth organisations, youth workers, policy makers, etc.).

The content is organisated under 4 main sections: “Get involved”; “Go abroad”; “EU initiatives”; “EU Youth Strategy”. In addition, you can read stories of young people, look for events and check the latest news.

DESCRIPTION | EURYDICE

EURYDICE is a network of 43 European National Units providing data and analyses on European education systems. It publishes descriptions of national education systems, comparative studies on key topics, and data and visuals on a range of education issues. Eurydice supports policy-making in education. National Units are appointed by the responsible public authority of each country, usually the ministry in charge of education policies.

DESCRIPTION | HORIZON EUROPE | MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS

HORIZON EUROPE is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. The MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS are the EU flagship programme for doctoral and postdoctoral training, equipping researchers with new knowledge and skills through mobility across borders and exposure to different sectors and disciplines. They enhance researchers’ training and career development systems and institutional and national recruitment processes in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the recruitment of researchers.

DESCRIPTION | EUROPEAN COMMISSION | SELFIE

SELFIE is an initiative of the European Commission and is funded through the Erasmus+ programme. It is free of charge for every school. SELFIE (Self-reflection on Effective Learning by Fostering the use of Innovative Educational technologies) is a free tool designed to help schools embed digital technologies into teaching, learning and assessment. The tool has been developed with a team of experts from schools, education ministries and research institutes across Europe. Partner institutions include the European Training Foundation (ETF), the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) and UNESCO's Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE).

DESCRIPTION | SOLVIT

SOLVIT is a service provided by the national administration in each EU country and in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. SOLVIT is free of charge. It is mainly an online service. Although there is a SOLVIT centre in each country, the best way to contact them is via this website. SOLVIT aims to find solutions within 10 weeks – starting on the day your case is taken on by the SOLVIT centre in the country where the problem occurred.

Unfair rules or decisions and discriminatory red tape can make it hard for you to live, work or do business in another EU country. So, if you as an EU citizen or business face obstacles in another country because a public authority isn’t doing what is required under EU law - SOLVIT can help! SOLVIT reminds the authorities in question what your EU rights are and works with them to solve your problem.

DESCRIPTION | YOUR EUROPE

YOUR EUROPE guides you to the most relevant EU and national websites. Questions on your rights in the EU? Or your obligations? Browse Your Europe pages for citizens and businesses. This site is managed by the Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) and is an official website of the European Union.