Career Guidance in Adult Education

pROJECT nO: NPAD-2015/10076

RESEARCH REPORT

2015

Latvia

  1. Political and Legal Framework of Adult Career

Guidance and Development

In Latvia citizens have rights for free-of-charge career guidance and counselling.

Citizens' rights for free-of-charge career guidance
and counselling are determined in:

  • Social Security Law (1995):

a person who works or wishes to work paid labour has the right to free of charge consultation, choosing one's education or profession;

  • Supporting Law of the Unemployed and Job-seekers(2002):

guidance is a preventive activity of unemployment,a person who has a permanent residing place in the Republic of Latvia and who wishes to obtain education or work or wishes to work paid labour, has the right to professional guidance.

Historical perspective of development of Career Guidance Policy

1994:

  • Concept of Vocational Guidance

(Minutes Nr. 57, Cabinet of Ministers, 15.11.1994)

2005:

  • Working group started work on the conception «On Improving the Carrer Development Support System» (Based on EC Resolution adopted on May 28, 2004)

2006:

  • Education Development Guidelines 2007-2013

(Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, Nr. 742, 27.09.2006)

  • "On the Conception «Improvement of the Carrer Development Support System", Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, Nr.214

2007:

  • Lifelong Learning Guidelines 2007-2013

Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, Nr. 11

  • The occupational standard for Career Counsellorswas approved by the Cabinet of Ministers

2010:

  • Regulations of the Cooperation Council on Career Development Support System
  • "Latvia 2030" Sustainable Development Strategy of Latvia until 2030

2012:

  • National Development Plan of Latvia 2014-2020

The most significant document - Conception
«Improvement of the Career Development Support System» (2006):

  • A work group was established based on the Regulations Nr. 137, 23.09.2005, isssued by the Ministry of Welfare on developing the conception on professional guidance and improvement of the career education service system.
  • The involved institutions: Ministry of Economics, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Welfare, Ministry of Regional Development and Local Governments, Latvian Employers' Confederation, Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, Latvian Adult Education Association, State Employment Agency, National Agency of Professional Career Guidance, and State Agency „Professional Education Development Agency" and State Agency „Social Integration centre".

Conception (2006):Envisioned making changes in laws and regulations, e.g.:

  • Law on Higher Education institutions, prescribing ensuring the career education function in HEIs;
  • Regulations of the Council of Ministers Nr.577 «Bylaws of the state agency "Professional education development agency"", foreseeing the promotion of cooperation among the institutionsinvolved in the system;
  • Changes in the legal documents under the competence of the Ministry of Education and Science in order to specify the terminology in the field of career development support in accordance with the explanations of the terms defined in the conception.
  • Ministry of Welfare - to work out and submit to the Cabinet of Ministers the draft law «Amendments in the Law on Supporting the Unemployed and Jobseekers", foreseeing the transfer of functions under the Professional Career Guidance State Agency to State Employment Agency.

Career Development Support System(CDSS):

  • CDSS consists of three key elements - information, career counselling and career education;
  • CDSS is «a set of activities that gives a possibility for the individual in any stage of his life all through the lifetime to identify one's interests, abilities, skills, experience in order to make conscious decisions about the choice of the education and/or profession and to organize and manage one's individual way in the education, work and other spheres in which these skills and experience are acquired and/ or applied» and the aim of which is to promote the selection of the develoment direction (profession, branch of education) corresponding to the individual's abilities and interests» („Improvement of the career development support system", 2006).

Lifelong Learning Guidelines 2007-2013: LLG set the ensuring of career services (career education to learners and career councelling to the unemployed, job seekers and employees) as a priority as well as the necessity for career support activities that could ensure the flexibility and correspondence of education and learning offers to the demands of the labour market.

Cooperation Council for the CareerGuidance System: The Ministry of Education and Science, National Centre for Curriculum Development, National Service for Quality in Education, State Education Development Agency, Ministry of Welfare, State Employment Service, Social Integration State Agency, Ministry of Economics, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Latvian Career Development Support Association, Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, Latvian Employers Confederation and Latvian Adult Education Association.

The council has met at least twice yearly since 2007 to discuss priorities in guidance. The State Education Development Agency's Information and Career Guidance Department has been nominated as the secretariat for this Forum.

Influence of international legislation on Latvian Career Guidance System

Basic principles of Adult career development
have been formulated in line with relevantEuropean documents:

  • on November 3, 2008 the Council of Europe adopted the Resolution on successful inclusion of lifelong career support in lifelong learning strategies, which defines as a priority field not only the acquisition of the career guidance skills during all one's lifetime but also the accessibility of the career support services to all the population, the improvement of the quality of the career support services and the promotion of the coordination and cooperation of all the participants involved in career support services on the national, regional and local level.(Career Guidance and Public Policy: Bridging the Gap (2004) OECD, p. 19.);
  • document published by the European Commission and OECD „Support to career development - a handbookfor policy makers" (2011);

Political responsibility

The development of Career Development SupportSystem (CDSS) on political level is the responsibility of theMinistry of Welfare andMinistry of Education and Science.

Responsible Institutions for Career Guidnace in Latvia:

  • National Education Development Agency: agency is responsible for the introduction of career development support system in education and employement sectors and promotion of cooperation among the involved institutions;
  • Ministry of Economics: ensures preperation of the timely and profound ptognosis of the labour market and the development of respective policy planning documents;
  • Minsitry of Education and Science: deveklopment of career education;
  • State Employment Agency (SEA): responsible for improvement of career counselling area. Service department of SEA is the only state institution that ensures free-of-charge counselling on the issues of choosing one's education and profession to all groups of the population,provides psychological support, free-of-charge career counselling to the unemployed, jobseekers, students. Ensures counselling in 28 regional offices. SEA has 72 career counsellors of whom 36 are thecounsellors of the ESF project «Youth guarantees» (Jauniešu garantijas" ) work in the regional offices of the SEA and in 1 branch of the regional office.

Counselling Methodology in SEA:

  • Use of psychological work methods and the client-centred approach;
  • Unemployed persons and job-seekers registered with the SEA can choose a group or individual career and/or psychological counselling, career guidance, identification of suitable employment goals, job search information and assistance, retraining and work trials.
  • Individuals are offered interest, aptitude, personality and psychometric testing, health profiling, role play, coaching and information provision.
  • Group activities involve consultations, seminars and lectures on career management issues, career motivation tests and interpersonal communication training.
  • SEA internet services include online career interest tests, information on career and training opportunities, storage of CV and motivation letters as well as responses to user questions by career guidance and/or psychological counsellors.

The Career Development Support Unit of the SEA develops methodology - prepares information resources, tests, questionnaires, inventories and other methodological materials for SEA career counsellors.

  • Social Integration State Agency: Support to people with disabilities offering them the possibility to identify the professional suitability as well as offering trial employment places.
  • Regional Governments (Municipalities):
  • participation of regional governments in the implementation of the career support and education is defined by the Conception (2006) and Article 17 (point 15) of the Law on Education.
  • The regional government has to ensure professional orientation and career education of children and young people, including the preparation and dissemination of the information on career support and education as well as providing information on employability in the planning process concerning its territory and implementing separate activities in the frame of the annual plan, e.g., organization of shadowing days, etc. (Law on Education, 1999);

Training programmes for career counsellors

Professional Master in Education/Career Counsellor:

  • Latvia University of Agriculture
  • Liepaja University
  • Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy
  • Rezekne Academy of Technologies
  • Daugavpils University
  1. Research on career development support
  • I.Jaunzeme, I. (2007) Career. Rīga: SIA "Latvijas uzņēmējdarbības un menedžmenta akadēmija".
  • I.Ģērmane (2008) Career development of disabled people and their involvement in the labour market in modern Latvian situation.
  • E. Lemešonoka (2009) Career centre model for the career development of the youth in gymnasia.
  • Lemešonoka (2009) Introduction of the career development support system in primary school to promote the pupil's career planning skills.
  • Rūtenberga (2009) Career education model for planning the career development of youth in evening school
  • E. Aploka (2010) Career development support system in secondary school.
  • N. Dogurevica (2010) Career education system for planning the pupil's career in secondary school.
  • Una Libkovska (2011) Management of improving pupils' professional interests in career education in Latvia.
  • Agita Smitina (2011) Possibilities of improving students' support to decrease drop-out in higher education institutions of Latvia.
  • Inta Jaunzeme (2011) Problems of improving career management and support system in higher education.
  • Guna Pudule (2013) Improvement of career education management in general comprehensive schools in Latvia.
  1. Contact List – Career Guidance Providers in Latvia

No. / Institution / Description / Contacts
1. / State Employment Agency (SEA) / SEA provides:
  • individual career consultations;
  • group career consultations.
SEA provides the following types of career services:
  • individual career consultation;
  • individual diagnostic consultation;
  • group career consultation;
  • informative group career consultation.
/ Career counsellors:
Aldona Britāne, , 00371 22114714
Gunita Freiberga, , 00 371 25685850
Kristīne Virka, , 00371 25685841
Sanita Rušķe, , 00 371 64322441
Anda Bogdane, , 00371 25685847
Sarmīte Raibekaze, 00371 29259736
Inga Ozoliņa,, 00 371 25685840
Elīna , 00371 25685283
Skaidrīte Astahovska – Eglīte, , 00371 25685276
Lauma Landratova, , 00371 25685853
Vitālijs Filipskis,, 00371 25685839
Evita Lukša, , 00371 25685839
Daina Samuša, , 00371 25685266
Ināra Puļaho, , 00371 25685266
Ingrīda Lībiete,, 00 371 63714101
Vineta Nikandrova, , 00371 25685285
Iveta Bružāne, ,00371 25685831
Ligita Goldberga- Krasauska, , 00371 65236145
Marika Matvejeva, , 00371 25685862
Helga Kanča, ,00371 25685287
Saulcerīte Briede, , 00371 28233875
Inta Magazniece,, 00371 25685289
Līga Japiņa, , 00371 65620905
Anita Jasjukoviča, , 00371 65620905
Santa Hemminga, , 00371 25685251
Anita Japēņina, , 00 371 25685845
Linda Niedola, , 00371 63401867
Ilze Daugaviete, , 00371 25685844
Aira Klampe, , 00371 25685838
Ramona Kočāne, , 00371 25685250
Skaidrīte Deksne, , 00371 25685848
Ināra Laizāne, , 00371 25685274
Agrita Mūrniece,, 00371 25685860
Solvita Drele, , 00371 68800980
Evija Lazdiņa, ,00 371 25685286
Diāna Šķēle, , 00371 28392220
Ineta Īvāna, , 00371 28392220
Inga Aleksejeva,, 00371 25685867
Ilona Utināne, ,00371 25685259
Rasma Šmaukstele, , 00371 64607804
Sandra Ragause, ,00371 64607802
Vilhelmīne Gosteva, , 00 371 64607802
Sandra Stikute, , 00 371 64607806
Kristīne Ivanova, , 00371 64607806
Inese Markēviča, , 00371 80200206
Vera Pitļuka, , 00371 80200206
Solveiga Isačenko, , 00371 80200206
Santa Dzērve, , 00371 80200206
Ilona Kalēja, , 00371 80200206
Elita Dombrava,, 00371 25685861
Nora Vilaua,, 00 371 25685869
Egita Pētersone, , 00 371 25685829
Zanda Pētersone, , 00371 28352628
Daiga Korpa, ,00371 25685830
Inga Kaļmuka,, 00371 25685263
Žanna Meija, ,00371 25685263
Daila Notte, ,00371 25685868
Ieva Sondare, ,00 371 26369624
Rita Grence, , 00371 22030071
Agnese Vizbule, , 00 371 63181160
Daiga Vanaga, ,00371 25685851
Linda Upmale, , 00371 26813317
Ineta Balode, ,00371 25685280
Darja Jonele, ,00 371 25685849
Sandra Citoviča, , 00 371 63629349
2. / The Social Integration State Agency / Career Counseling (specialised on people with disabilities) / Santa Egmiņa, ;
Marika Sermule,
Katrina Sevruka,
3. / Privat Career counsellor / Career Counseling / Jolanta Priede, , 00371 29193377

4. / „PeRtipo” / Career Counseling / Ineta Meldere,, 00371 27542276

5. / Privat Career counsellor / Career Counseling / Jānis Pāvulēns, , 00371 29752750,
6. / RTU (Riga Technical University)
Career Center / Career Counseling / viktorija.gainartu.lv, 00371 67089053,
7. / RSU (Riga Stardins University) Career Center / Career Counseling /
8. / University of Latvia
Career Center / Career Counseling / 00371 67034410,
,
9. / Dobele Youth Initiatives and Health Centre /
  • Individual counseling with a career consultant. Deterrmination of professional suitability information of professions and educational opportunities support for individual career development plan.
/ Ilze Vīķe, 00371 63725550
10. / JV-KIKC /
  • Career Counseling
/ Inta Lemešonoka,
11. / Riga Raina 8th Evening (shift) School /
  • Career Counseling (psychologist)
/ Diāna Feldmane,
  1. Survey Report

Methodology

In this reaearch was used an exploratory mixed method design in which both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered to explore the adults career counselling needs and expectations. As well perceptions of employers and career counsellors about career counselling process and clients expectations.

This approach was selected because of the exploratory nature of project, to to create the adult guidance program to increase self-dependency and to develop skills and competences which are necessary for adults to plan their professional life and to overcome challenges of modern citizenship.In the research were used questionnaire (to identify the respondents previous experience with career counselling, to explore the expectations, opinion and needs with respect to career counselling services) and conducted interviews (to gathers data concerning the perceptions about career counselling process and clients expectations).

Instruments

In the study were used open ended questionnaire, with modified „Expectations About Career Counselling” ( Lim, 2007) measure included and interviews.

A four – part questionnaire was distributed to the adults (clients, prospective clients), Part 1 – respondent demographic data (gender, age, current activity), Part -2 about career skills, barriers and Part 3 – needs of career counsellling (open ended questions about career goals, views of how they would like a career counsellor to help them, whether they had seen a career counsellor) and Part 4 – experience of career counselling service at work, experience and expectation about career counselling (questions about counselling process, counselling methods, career counsellors competences and personality).

A three part questionnaire was distributed to employers and career counsellors. Part 1 – respondents demographic data (gender, age, qualifications in career counselling, education level), Part2 – main client group, professional competences and skills, Part 3 – career counsellors perception about clients expectation.

Questionnaire

Participants

Table 1. Age and gender of questionnaire participants

Group / Number of participants / Gender / Age range
F / M
Adults (clients/prospective clients) / 30 / 19 / 11 / 19-55
Career Counsellors working in:
  • educational establishments (universities, colleges)
  • State EmploymentAgency of Latvia
  • Self-employed
/ 5
22
3 / 27 / 3 / 25-62
Employers / 10 / 5 / 5 / 30 -51
Total: / 70 / 51 / 19

Table 2. Age and gender of interview participants

Group / Number of participants / Gender / Age range
F / M
Adults (clients/prospective clients) / 10 / 6 / 4 / 19-55
Career Counsellors / 10 / 8 / 2 / 25-45
Employers / 5 / 3 / 2 / 39 -51
Total: / 25 / 17 / 8

Career Guidance Needs of Adults

Fig.1. Employment of adults (clients/prospective clients)

Fig.2. The mother tongueof the respondents

Table 3. Career guidance services availability at workplace (N=11)

Number of participants / Answer
3 / yes
8 / no

Only 3 respondents form 11 (employed respondents) answer that career counselling service is provided at their work.

Table 4. Who provides career guidance services at your workplace?

Number of participants / Answer
3 / I do not know
6 / Nobody
1 / Career center
1 / Enterprise

2 respondents answered that delivers of the career guidance service are Career center and „Enterprise”.

Table 5. What kind of career guidance services are available at your workplace?

Number of participants / Answer
3 / I do not know
6 / None
1 / Career counsultations, professional development
1 / Testing of employees

Mentioned career guidance services include: career consultations, professional and personal development and testing.

Fig.3. Do you regularly improve your digital skills?

Fig.4. When was the last time you were in some kind of training courses or seminar, etc?

Fig.5. Do you know where to find a career counsellor?

Fig.6. Have you ever used a career counselling service?

Over 56% of the respondents had used a career caounselling service.

Table 6.When do you seek career support?

Number of participants / Answer
10 / I do not seek any career support, it is not necessary
14 / When I was/will be looking for work, it might be helpful to get some careers advice or training, CV and motivation letter writing.
Professional development.
2 / I am person with special needs, career counselour helps me to find work
4 / I am not sure what type of work I’d like.
Want to find out more about a certain career/my career possibilities

Table 7. What problems do you feel with your job or career?

Number of participants / Answer
10 / None
6 / Environmental and attitudinal barrier
5 / Barriere because of special needs
7 / Communication
6 / Financial
5 / Lack of experience
4 / Insufficient professional competence
3 / No relevant qualifications

Table 8. What assistance or support do you need regarding jobs or careers?

Number of participants / Answer
6 / Career counselling
5 / Professional development courses/activities
3 / Psychological Advice
9 / Academic Advice, Knowledge management
11 / None
2 / Advice of other people

Fig.7. How much money can you spend on career guidance?

When asked how much money they thought spend on career counselling, more than 43% respondents answered, that they would not spend any money for it.

Fig.8. How much time can you spend on career guidance?

Fig.9. What kind of career assessment tools and tests have you
used?

Fig.10. What is your current career goal?

In terms of their current career goal, over 90% stated they have a career goal. However, approximately 7% were unsure of their career goals.

Fig.11. In which career planning stage, you are experiencing the most problems?

Career Counselling Survey

Fig.1. The mother tongueof the respondents

Table 1. What is your current primary professional role?

All of the career counsellors have postgraduate qualifications. 60% of the career practitioners have Masters degree and qualification – career counsellor.

Fig.2 Have you taken a master's level career counseling course?

Fig.3 When was the last time you were in some kind of professional development training courses or seminar, etc?

Table 2 What career guidance programs you offer to adults?

Number of participants / Answer
7 / Individual career counsultations
5 / Group career counsultations
3 / Counseling program to diverse population
2 / Implement programs
11 / Workplace readiness skills programs
9 / Programs forunemployed people
13 / Career development programs
7 / Client resource identification and development
2 / Unsure

Table 3 What do you think is most important factor in a successful guidance program?

Number of participants / Answer
8 / Motivation
15 / Real World Connections
6 / Communication
7 / Cooperation
2 / Use adult-oriented models of active learning
6 / Reflective practice
9 / Realistic and sustainable
11 / Goal oriented
4 / Include all stakeholders in program design
2 / Learn from successful programs
2 / Develop good support materials
9 / Programs must be planned according to what is affordable in the long run

Table 4. What career guidance programs most lack people starting from age 21?