‘Services and activities intended to assist individuals of any age and at any point throughout their lives, to make educational, training and occupational choices and to manage their careers’ (UNESCO-IBE, Glossary of Curriculum Terminology).
In schools, the practice is used to:
… support students in their choice of education and career path. Education and career guidance is provided by in-school guidance/counselling services and it may be taught in the classroom as a subject/topic which forms part of the compulsory curriculum. Guidance seeks to provide students with information as well as to develop the decision-making and other skills important in managing their own educational or career choices. Education and career guidance may also include psycho-educational work or counselling to help students in their progression through school, particularly for students at risk of leaving education early. Extra support is often provided at times of transition between the stages of education or when transferring to other pathways or tracks. Guidance may be complemented by extra-curricular activities and supported by external partners (e.g. for the provision of work experience, etc.) (European Commission/EACEA/Eurydice/Cedefop, 2014, p. 139).