Inventory of lifelong guidance systems and practices
The online inventory of the national lifelong guidance systems records aims to provide insights on current policy developments and structures pertaining to career guidance, career education and career development in the EU member states, the EEA, EFTA and the EU enlargement/accession countries.
The country records available are based on information collected and analysed by CareersNet experts during their respective mandate period, while Cedefop reviews, lightly edits, and maintains the Inventory for public use and as a basis for network activities such as drafting papers and for cross-country comparisons. CareersNet is Cedefop’s network of independent experts in career guidance and career development, managed within the Lifelong guidance project area of the Department for VET and Skills.
Each country record aims to monitor and document relevant policy developments towards achieving the objectives laid down by the Council Resolution on better integrating lifelong guidance into lifelong learning strategies and the European Guidelines for Policies and Systems Development for Lifelong Guidance. The structure and contents of the records closely reflects these documents. A revised framework for lifelong guidance including a set of guidelines is expected in 2025 and the Inventory template will be updated accordingly, also linking the framework/guidelines more directly with the Inventory.
The shared structure of the records allows for a (subjective) comparative perspective of policy progress in the field, across the monitored countries. The Lifelong Guidance (LLG) inventory is currently divided into 23 sections, which can be viewed across available countries for each collection per the year it was published online. Not all sections are complete for every country nor for every year and records are offered according to the availability of the voluntary network experts.
Collections and reference years. The country collections are organised by year of on-line publication and each record builds on previous versions, where relevant. Depending on major changes in the countries, where resources allow, some records are briefly updated mid-policy cycle and with significant changes a new record is added.
2020 collection of records were initially prepared based on information collected by CareersNet experts during the period 2017-18 and complemented with contributions during the year 2019. Coverage of information is variable across countries and may not fully reflect developments during the publishing year.
2021 collection - Some updates took place in 2021 (DK, FI, TR) where key changes occurred in the lifelong guidance systems. Coverage of information added in 2021 to reinforce the Inventory up-to-datedness, is variable across the records in these countries, and may not fully reflect developments during that year. New records were also added for 2021 (BE-Fr, PL).
2023, 2024, 2025 - A more extensive update of all country records is underway since 2023, with new recorded added . as they become available. New records are being added throughout 2025, in some cases with intermittent pauses to capture the latest changes in policies affecting the development of lifelong guidance systems.
Disclaimer: The perspectives and opinions expressed in the records do not necessarily reflect those of Cedefop. Information supplied by the CareersNet experts is updated to the best of their knowledge according to the relevant reference period and available information provided to them by national stakeholders and reference groups and sources consulted however the situation in the countries can change suddenly.
Feel free to submit your feedback and suggestions for improvement to [email protected].
