The late Helmut Zelloth of the European Training Foundation (ETF) described the relationship between career (vocational) guidance and vocational education and training (VET) in unflattering terms: ‘neglected’, ‘avoidance’, ‘unexplored’, and pointed to the linguistic confusion that sometimes arises through the shared history of the term ‘vocational’ (Zelloth, 2014), which when translated into other languages (e.g. Arabic), gives the impression that vocational guidance is only for those pursuing vocational education.  Guideline 11: Lifelong Guidance for Vocational Education and Training (VET) Students and Participants of the EU Guidelines for Policy and Systems Development for Lifelong Guidance (2015), describes the importance of career guidance  provision to young people and adults prior to VET entry, during VET and progression beyond VET, and likewise to continuing/lifelong VET learning. It acknowledges the key role IVET and CVET in economic development through workforce preparation and upskilling/reskilling, in meeting employers’ needs, and in assisting the employability of those most vulnerable to changes in the labour market. “Lifelong guidance provision helps to make VET systems more efficient by assisting citizens with initial VET choices and subsequent CVET choices, supporting learning and performance during VET programmes, and supporting labour market or further learning transitions”. Such efficiency is important as per capita cost of VET provision to taxpayers is significantly higher than the per capita cost of general education. The cost of drop-out or failure to qualify from VET is consequently more expensive both to taxpayers and to employers who provide work-based training:

At European Union level, the importance of career guidance provision is acknowledged in the OSNABRUCK DECLARATION 2020 on EU cooperation in VET. “Learners need more guidance and tailored support to design their learning and career paths. It is necessary to promote VET as an attractive and high-quality pathway for jobs and life. As job and qualification profiles change and new professions emerge in the wake of the digital and green transitions, individuals need support to upskill and update their skills in a permanent manner. IVET and CVET offers should be better interlinked, compatible and based on skills intelligence at European, national and/or regional levels.” The Declaration emphasises the importance of a lifelong learning culture supported by effective career guidance throughout life, and access to quality education and training for all. It specifies that guidance counsellors, among others, are key to a culture of lifelong learning, acting as multipliers and mediators.

Among the short-terms deliverables of the Declaration by EU Member States for 2021-25 are the development of national skill strategies for quality and inclusive lifelong learning that reference guidance provision; and supporting guidance counsellors, among others, through systematic approaches to, and opportunities for, initial and continuous professional development in both school and work-based settings, as well as distance education and training, enabling them to progress in their careers.

The provision of career guidance to potential VET learners is one of ten reference indicators for EQAVET, the EU framework for quality assurance for VET systems and providers.