Since the Memorandum on Lifelong Learning in 2000, guidance in ALE has been defined as one of the core support activities in European countries. This is also how we have described it in our Adult Education Master Plan (ReNPIO 2022–2030). We were pleased to learn that by 2023, we had already reached our target by including 33,231 adults in guidance, which is provided as a public service (in individual or group settings). This represents a 20% increase in the provision of guidance as a public service by 2030, compared to the baseline year of 2020 (according to data from the 2023 annual report on the implementation of ReNPIO 2022–2030).
Guidance has always been an integral part of ALE, but it remains both traditional and modern in every period. Support in the form of information and guidance helps adults before deciding to engage in education and learning, during the process and after its completion. Over the years, as ALE has become increasingly complex, the content of guidance activities has also grown more comprehensive and multifaceted.
The Leerwinkel Guidance Centre from Brussels, Belgium, presented an example of good practice.
Key messages for further development, particularly regarding accessibility and recognition, can be summarised from the participants’ contributions and discussions:
- Adults should be included in the promotion of guidance and ALE by sharing their success stories.
- Different groups of adults should be targeted in various ways, and new social media platforms and the types of media used by these groups should be effectively utilised.
- Counsellors should engage in outreach activities, meeting adults in their environments.
- Information about guidance and education should be straightforward and visually appealing. It should include success stories of adult learners and be made available in various public places in local communities.
- Adults should be presented with the specific benefits of participating in education and learning.
- Approaches to guidance should be personalised, starting from the needs and goals of each individual adult, with a focus on empathy and active listening.
- Counsellors should use high-quality professional tools and materials to support the provision of holistic guidance.
- Counsellors should continuously upgrade their skills to strengthen their professional development.
Supported by these findings, we are planning the further development and implementation of guidance in ALE in Slovenia, both across a network of 35 adult education centres and within ALE at secondary and higher vocational schools. Therefore, at the SIAE, we welcome the new project funded by the European Cohesion Policy, titled Strengthening Lifelong Learning (2024–2029), which will include a developmental activity Strengthening guidance in ALE. New professional and learning materials, along with new guidance tools, aids and training sessions, will support counsellors in ALE in fulfilling their mission. Let us continue to journey from guidance to knowledge and back to guidance in the future!
Tanja Vilič Klenovšek, MSc (tanja.vilic.klenovsek@acs.si), SIAE
