Review of national career development support systems in the Western Balkans

Abstract

Education, training and labour market systems are increasingly being challenged by global developments, such as new and rapidly changing technologies, the 4th Industrial Revolution, demographic changes and climate change. All these have a profound impact on the lives of individuals and on society. The development of technology, especially information and communication technology (ICT), has boosted economic globalisation by providing new opportunities, but also new risks, as does the green transition. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated and amplified existing trends and challenges. Despite these uncertain developments, there is little doubt that a fast-evolving world and a changing labour market will require individuals to become lifelong learners, to acquire new competences to cope with change and to adapt and further develop existing competences. There is also a growing demand for valid information on changing labour markets and future prospects. This goes along with a growing need to support people in managing more frequent and complex transitions within and between education and work. In this context, there is a greater need than ever for career development support. At the same time, career development support 􀂱 that is lifelong career guidance, and in particular career education, and career development support for workers 􀂱 itself faces challenges in adapting to the new circumstances. Changes in delivery and developing the innovation capacity of career development support services are required to achieve deeper impact and empower individuals to manage their own career paths. Technology is already having an impact on traditional services, and the concept of career-management skills is increasingly gaining ground, not only in Europe but also on other continents. In order to help countries respond to the challenges of the green and digital transition, the COVID-19 recovery and regional specificities such as brain drain, but also to inform national policies, practices and future EU and ETF activities in general, the ETF has reviewed the national career development support systems of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. For these six countries, the ETF has also developed a regional synthesis report. The national reports were used as a source for the development of the regional synthesis report, which aims to provide of a clear and concise outline of the state of the national career development support systems in the six Western Balkan countries to allow for peer learning, and summarises key recommendations for further system development.