Career designing in Lithuania : state of art & challenges

Abstract

The social and historical context of career guidance in Lithuania was presented to the group. During 1918-1940, when Lithuania was a republic, a national education system was developed. During the Soviet period (1940-1990) the main focus was on vocational training. When the Republic was re-established, there was a period of ‘silence’ for career designing where personal needs were ignored and people were focused on the demands of the economy. After 1995 career designing was introduced once again and to date is being developed. Career designing system composed of two parts: career education and support of further career development. • Strategies were developed and from 2006-2008 the EU structural funds supported a national project targeted on the introduction of career education in general education. • The projects results were positive: 3 standards were approved by law, 6 learning programmes were developed, and 10 methodological guidelines were approved. Training was held for all key participants and vocational information centres were established. • Later a new project was started to implement a model for higher education that aims to develop accessible career guidance that respond to the needs of students with regard to career management services. A model for career management services has been designed where 8 compendiums of means for career management for higher education students will be developed and 263 specialists will be trained to provide career management services for higher education institutions.