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1. Career guidance and counselling services

2. Funding

3. Quality assurance

Career guidance and counselling services

Responsible Authorities and Public Sector Involvement

Career guidance in Slovakia is primarily provided by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family (MLSAF) and the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth (MINEDU). The MLSAF oversees guidance through Labour Offices and Information and Counselling Centres, ensuring alignment with national policies to improve youth employment and support vulnerable groups. The MINEDU plays a role in integrating career guidance within the educational system, particularly in schools and higher education institutions.

Link with National Youth Guarantee Scheme

Career guidance is a key component of Slovakia's National Youth Guarantee, which targets young people (under 30) who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). The career guidance system under this initiative has been reinforced to provide tailored support to at-risk groups, such as young people with disabilities, migrants, or low qualifications. The implementation of the Youth Guarantee has also led to a revision of career guidance strategies to better address the specific needs of these groups.

Main Providers and Partnerships

Career guidance services are available through multiple public and private sector providers, ensuring a comprehensive support network for young job seekers:

• Formal Education Institutions: Schools and higher education institutions offer career guidance through Centres for Educational and Psychological Counselling.
• Labour Offices and Employment Services: These entities provide job market insights, career assessments, and counselling.
• Non-Formal and Informal Learning Providers: NGOs and youth organizations contribute to career counselling, especially for marginalized groups. One example is Združenie pre kariérové poradenstvo a rozvoj kariéry. This association focuses on networking and collaboration among career guidance professionals, supports professional growth and education in career counselling, raises awareness about career guidance, and advocates for career development policies at national and international levels. Its work spans across education, employment, corporate HR, and research in career guidance.
• Private Sector Partnerships: Public services collaborate with employers, trade unions, and business associations to provide internships, mentorships, and real-world career guidance.

Main Users

Career guidance services are accessible to:

• Students (secondary and higher education)
• Young job seekers
• Long-term unemployed individuals
• People with disabilities
• Participants in non-formal education programs (e.g., youth work initiatives)

Specific Target Groups

Certain youth groups receive priority support through targeted career guidance programs, including:

• NEET youth under 30
• Long-term unemployed individuals
• Low-skilled individuals
• People with disabilities
• Migrant youth
• Young parents
• Individuals leaving state care or correctional facilities

Funding

Sources of Public Funding

Career guidance services in Slovakia are primarily funded by:

• Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family (MLSAF)
• Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth (MINEDU)
• European Social Fund+ (ESF+), particularly for disadvantaged youth

Budget and Investment

Between 2023-2029, the MLSAF is investing EUR 71.456 million through the Slovensko Program for career guidance and counselling initiatives under the Youth Guarantee. This funding aims to create Unified Contact Points (JKM) to:

• Support youth in NEET situations and those at risk of becoming NEET
• Enhance active inclusion in society and the labor market
• Promote mutual learning and knowledge-sharing.

While exact funding distribution across providers is not always specified, career guidance is a priority area in national employment and education budgets.

Quality Assurance

Monitoring Mechanisms

Slovakia's career guidance services undergo regular monitoring and evaluation, particularly for EU-funded projects. The main mechanisms include:

• Customer Satisfaction Surveys: Feedback from youth participants is collected to assess the effectiveness of services.
• Employment Outcome Tracking: Follow-up on job placement rates among service users.
• Regular Audits: Governmental and independent reviews of service delivery.

Indicators and Standards

Key criteria used to assess quality include:

• Scope of Outreach: Number of users reached by career guidance services.
• Effectiveness of Counselling: How many participants successfully transition into employment or further education.
• Accessibility of Services: Availability in different regions, including rural areas.
• Content of Guidance: Relevance of career advice and job search strategies to current labor market needs.

Outcomes and Accountability

• Continuous Improvement: Career guidance providers receive feedback and recommendations for enhancing their services.
• Funding Adjustments: Public funding may be reallocated if quality standards are not met.
• Enhanced Coordination: Ministries and service providers refine strategies based on evaluation findings.