Integrated Approach to Career Services Development in the Higher Education: Case of the University of Latvia IAEVG International Conference 2009 “Coherence, Co-operation and Quality in Guidance and Counselling”, Jyväskylä, Finland, June 3-5, 2009 Inta Jaunzeme Deputy Director of Student Services University of Latvia

Data and Methods Data from national sample surveys “Professional Activities of Graduates of Higher and Vocational Education Institutions after Graduation” (2504 respondents) and “Compliance of Higher Education Programmes with the Requirements of Labour Market” (1675 respondents) carried out in 2006/2007 Expert and focus group interviews Case study o f career service development at the University of Latvia

The Aim of the Presentation The aim of the presentation is to analyze main factors and outcomes of career services development in the higher education institutions of Latvia over the last decade

Key Challenges Political and economical changes Change of concept (from professional orientation to career guidance) Diversity of education (the study programmes and learning environment) after collapse of Soviet Union Enhancing labour market demand of employees skills and competencies Demographical changes (aging of the society and mobility) Increasing role of lifelong learning Educational and employment policy for employability

Integrated Approach to Career Service Development 1.Career development services are shared among a variety of departments 2.Partnership between the university and labour market as an investment for students development

Transition of University Graduates to Labour Market 29.6% graduates are very satisfied and 50,2% rather satisfied with the obtained skills for career planning and professional development Students` employment rate during their studies is 75%-79% Numerous of graduates continuing formal and non-formal education After 3 years 92% of graduates have a job which correspond s to the educational level (professionals, managers, senior officials) Unemployment rate is 1 % Job search period is from 1 to 3 months

Career Service development in HEI of Latvia Provision of the career services at HEI was established after accession to the EU, Most often universities provide separate career activities within the central administration or faculties career support is provided by different units and departments(career centres, public relation and academic department, student services, student union, admission office etc.) Some HEI have included availability of services and graduates ability as an important task in their development strategy (University of Latvia, University of Liepaja, Latvia University of Agriculture, RPIVA, Daugavpils University)

Case of the University of Latvia The development of university's student support system started 1995 with academic advising which was shared by faculties and central administration Student services at present provide academic advising, career service, psychological counselling (since 2006) and support for students with disability(since 2008)

Student Services Student RegisterServicesInformation and Counselling Psychologist Academic Advising Career Centre Internal Partners Faculties, Administration, Student Union, Internal Partners Faculties, Administration, Student Union, External Partners State Employment Agency, State Education Development Agency, Higher Educations Institutions, Employers, Graduates` External Partners State Employment Agency, State Education Development Agency, Higher Educations Institutions, Employers, Graduates` Career Service Provision at the University of Latvia (institutional level)

Partnership with employers Representation in governmental level Council of Higher Education Higher Education Quality Evaluation Centre Career Guidance National Forum (Cooperation Council) National Trilateral Co-operation Council Co-operation in institutional level Programme development in cooperation with employers Programme assessment Final examinations and thesis Internships and practice Expert lectures Competitions for graduates final thesis

Assessment of the Cooperation Possible social partners are: Authority Church Mass media Social organizations Non-governmental organisations Family The best form: The best form: initiative from employers, resources, information about operations of educational institutions

Case of cooperation between University and ECR Baltic A local ECR initiative in the Baltic States - in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. It is non-commercial, non-profit voluntary and informal partnership set up in 2007 to provide a cooperation platform, promote and educate Business community in the Baltic States about Efficient Consumer Response and the benefits it brings

Conclusions Development of career services in the higher education institutions in Latvia depends on institutional commitment and available resources Career guidance is a new concept in the context of education and employment in Latvia, therefore important is to educate all stakeholders Crucial challenges for graduates employment in the period of crisis increases role of student support services Effective use of resources facilitate development of cooperation between university and enterprises

Student Services, University of Latvia Riga, Latvia T.: