3.4 Career guidance and counselling
Address
Portuguese National Agency Erasmus + YA Programme
Agência Nacional Erasmus + JA
Rua de Santa Margarida 6
PT-4710-306 Braga
Tel: +351 253 144 450
E-Mail: erasmusmais@juventude.pt
Website
On this page
Career guidance and counselling services
Career guidance and counselling services are provided by various entities based on the target group. They are mainly supervised by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security. These services help citizens of all ages identify their abilities, make decisions on education, training, and employment, and manage their learning and career paths.
Basic and Secondary Education
The Psychology and Guidance Services (SPO) coordinate school and career guidance with the educational community and the Centres for Qualification and Vocational Education. The General Directorate of Education (DGE) supports psychologists' activities.
Higher Education
Institutions have autonomy in counselling services, often provided by student associations and Support Offices for Professional Insertion (GAIP). These services are managed by the institutions themselves.
Public Employment Service
The Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) offers career guidance to job seekers, with both face-to-face and online support through iefponline.
Vocational Education and Training Institutions
Teachers and counsellors provide guidance, managed by training centres under the National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education (ANQEP, I.P.). The IEFP is part of the Qualifica Centers network.
Others
myMentor is a digital platform offering career support, including job search, training, and understanding labour market trends.
This initiative includes an Integrated Information and Guidance System for Qualification and Employment, with a network of partners supporting young people in NEET situations. It aims to improve coordination between school and professional guidance and ensure the dissemination of the Youth Guarantee programme through various educational and employment entities.
Funding
The Operational Programme for Human Capital (POCH) allocates €176.5M for improving education and training quality, with €175M from the European Social Fund and €26.5M from national funds. By 2020, €30M was spent on school-based Professional Guidance Services, aiming for one psychologist per 1,140 students by 2023.
Quality assurance
Career guidance services are evaluated within their contexts. Education system services are assessed through self and external evaluations by the General Inspection of Education and Science (IGEC). These evaluations consider school documents, academic success indicators, community satisfaction surveys, and interviews. Reports highlight strengths, areas for improvement, and provide recommendations. POCH also assesses measures to enhance education and training quality, including the development of Psychology and Guidance Services (SPO).