In the NGO sector, many organisations either directly or indirectly provide career guidance and counselling. Most of these organizations are developing their own programmes, but they do not have the energy or the opportunity for cooperation with other institutions. The response to the conference “Employment – Social inclusion” was extensive also because it presented an opportunity for the exchange of opinions and examples of good practice. Similar events are not organised, due to lack of funding. This is not unusual, since not even school counsellors meetings on career guidance are taking place.

Another pressing theme is the cooperation of the governmental and non-governmental sector in the field of career guidance. NGOs are in close contact with the youth. With right incentives much more could be done. Especially youth organisations and youth centres perform many nonformal education activities, enabling youth to learn key skills and recognize their interests and capabilities. Even more targeted activities of career guidance could be developed. What is missing is a national coordinating body and public tenders that would cover the field of career guidance.

Reasons:

• Absence of the national coordinator for career guidance;
• Mistrust towards the NGO sector;
• Inadequate public financing.

Consequences:

• Many secondary school students are only aware of limited studying options. They are not aware of their interests and capabilities well enough and make poor decisions regarding their education;
• Many university students do not think about what they are going to do after graduation.

Possible solutions:

• Public co-financing of career guidance;
• Establishment of a national centre for career guidance;
• Collecting and publishing data on the labour market situation and future trends.