ReportCompetence Framework_DEF_19.06.2018

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. [Project Number: 2017-1-SK01-KA204-035385] According to Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs statistics, in April 2017, the registered unemployment rate was 7.74%, which compared with April 2016 (9.64%) means a decrease of 1.9 pp. Despite improvements in the labour market resulting from robust economic recovery and strong job creation, long-term unemployment remains a problem. The long-term unemployment rate continues to be one of the highest in the EU. It particularly affects marginalized Roma, low-skilled and young people. In addition, regional disparities persist — the unemployment rate in eastern Slovakia is still twice that in Bratislava. Adult participation in lifelong learning and second-chance education programs remains low 5 . Professionals working in the educational sector do not need a specific qualification, though most of educational advisors have at least the master level of a University degree in different branches. The same stands for guidance professionals who work in the field of counseling services for disadvantage groups. Although they need a master level University degree, no further specification / specialization is required. The first and very new option how to acquire the “career counselor” qualification is available from 2012 within the study program of psychology at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health Care of the Constantine the Philosopher University (CPU) in Nitra. We can say that guidance and counseling for adults is less developed. The country has a network of 25 counseling centers spread across the country. These centers focus on career and personal development of individuals, providing information on initial and further education programs and recognition of competences based on tests. The Ministry of Social Affairs implemented a project (2013- 2015) on continuing education for adults as a tool to improve their chances on the labour market and designed modular training for counselors. The Amendment to the Act on Employment Services specifically stipulates identification, evaluation and assessment of skills and competences of unemployed and implemented, a bilan of competences methodology (France) into the practice through the training of 46 specialist/guidance professionals 7 . Two institutions capitalize on international networking and guidance experience in Slovakia: Euro guidance Slovakia 6 , which focuses on guidance practitioners and policy makers from both education and employment and the National Forum for Lifelong Guidance, which is an advisory board to the Ministry of Education. _____________________________ 5 COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on the 2017 National Reform Programme of Slovakia and delivering a Council opinion on the 2017 Stability Programme of Slovakia, retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/2017-european-semester-country-specific-recommendations-commission- recommendations_-_slovakia.pd 6 CEDEFOP (2016) Vocational education and Training in Slovakia. Page 55. 7 EuroGuidance Slovakia , retrieved from: http://web.saaic.sk/nrcg_new/_clanok.cfm?clanok=1&menu=1&open=1&jazyk=sk