1. Towards a National Conceptual Framework of Regional Co-operation: A Lay-Out for Lifelong Guidance Services in Finland Antti Laitinen Ari Hyyryläinen Pasi Savonmäki Raimo Vuorinen Salmia Training and Development Centre, Jyväskylä IAEVG 26.9.2013, Montpellier

2. Project LAITURI Funded by European Social Fund ESF and administered by The Ministry of Employment and the Economy Hosted by Salmia Training and Development Centre www.salmia.fi www.salmia.fi Part of a nationwide ESF program Opin ovi (‘Door to Learning’) – aiming at holistic regional guidance and councelling strategies, where guidance and councelling is seen as an important part of regional development (services for those looking for information on study options and jobs, or wish to improve their professional knowledge, or move to a new job, or wish to improve the professional skills of their workplace or community)

3. A New Lay-out for Lifelong Guidance Lifelong guidance services provided by various organisations in the region will be coordinated in a new manner Guidance services – including information giving, advice and councelling – will be coordinated by one party in the region: ELY Centres (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) There are 15 ELY Centres altogether

4. Strategic Aims for Lifelong Guidance in Finland Aims set by Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy 1 Equal access to lifelong guidance and counselling services 2 Strengthening of individual Career Management Skills (CMS) 3 Ensuring the competence of career practitioners 4 Development of the quality management system and feedback mechanisms 5 Co-ordination of the cross-sectoral guidance services and policy development

5. Key Elements of the Reform Regional players within guidance activities will form a new representative structure (>network), based on existing co- operation networks The new network invites ELY Centre specialists, representatives of employment offices, educational staff, project staff and industry representatives, as well as other parties involved, e.g. voluntary organisations The current emphasis is on adults, e.g. in career transitions Consultative support will be provided for the network

6. The Need The approaches of the practioners coming from different organisations need to be linked: ’We share the same mission and target group – although maybe focusing on a different stage at their individual learning paths’ A new mindset for practitioners is encouraged: to perceive the expertise in the region widely ’The network has the answers if I or my organisation don’t’ Adopting a counselling approach in general Defining lifelong guidance by the network: ’What is our definition for lifelong guidance? How do we cover the needs recognised?’ Training of career practitioners cross-administratively

7. Steps YEAR 2013 Composing the lifelong guidance coordination group: ‘Which organisations to join, who to represent the organisation? Focusing: ‘Where to start in our region, where to focus?’ Action plan The core of the new structure: employment authorities and educational authorities YEAR 2014 Once the regions have came up with their action plans, a national model will be outlined, on the basis of the experience gained

8. Thank You! Antti Laitinen Project Consultant LAITURI project antti.laitinen@salmia.fi +358503962677 www.salmia.fi www.opinovi.fi