Press release
Ministers for Education and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science publish strategy for lifelong guidance
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris today announced the publication of a national strategy and action plan for lifelong guidance.
Lifelong guidance is about helping people to make better choices about their education, career and life choices, through information, advice and guidance counselling services.
Changing patterns of work, in an ever more globalised economy and digitalised world, demand that people upskill, reskill and learn throughout life for different careers and jobs.
People no longer take a job for life; rather, they expect to transition to a number of jobs over their careers.
The new proposals in the action plan include:
Minister Foley said that lifelong guidance on education, training, career, personal, social and life choices plays a key role in empowering people to reach their full potential:
“This new strategy will provide lifelong guidance for people every step of the way, building on the excellent work that is already being done in our schools. Our ambitions for our students are limitless and therefore the opportunities that the education sector provides for them should be limitless.
“The Department of Education is supporting the provision of two additional postgraduate training courses for guidance counselling. This will help to strengthen the supply of guidance counsellors at post-primary level.
“I am particularly pleased to see the focus on inclusion with guidance due to be provided for students in special schools. We want all of our students to have access to comprehensive and high-quality, user-friendly, accessible and appropriate support.
“I also welcome the commitment to provide access to work-shadowing and work-experience for all people during their lifetime, including those who are marginalised or have disabilities.”
The National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance (2024 – 2030) and accompanying National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance: Strategic Action Plan (2024 – 2030) were developed by the National Lifelong Guidance Policy Group, as established by Minister Foley in 2022.
The vision for lifelong guidance, as presented in the framework, is for Ireland to have a more unified guidance system which will allow people to have access to high-quality, holistic and appropriate lifelong guidance.
Minister Harris said:
“We are trying to change the conversation about education in this country and a central piece of the puzzle is ensuring that learners of all ages have the information and support they need to make the decisions that are right for them.
“Now, more than ever, it is important for us to take a more holistic view of third level options to include further education and apprenticeships, as well as higher education programmes. For these reasons, it is important all of the information on career and learning options is accessible, understandable and as easy to navigate as possible for everyone. This will empower students, in particular, to make the choice that is right for them.
“This is a key facet of the Framework being published today - a framework which will provide for the development of a collaborative, higher-quality and appropriate system of guidance services with benefits for the individual, society and the economy.”
The new strategy and action plan will be delivered by five government departments in particular - Department of Education (guidance in schools), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (guidance in the Tertiary Sector and as part of the workforce development agenda), Department of Enterprise (guidance in the context of labour market skills/information), Department of Children (guidance for people with disabilities) and Department of Social Protection (guidance to jobseekers).
Four pillars are identified within the framework as key concepts to inform the trajectory for the development of lifelong guidance in Ireland:
1. Visibility and Awareness of Lifelong Guidance Services and Information Provision;
2. Standards and Quality throughout the Lifelong Guidance System;
3. Access, Inclusion and Universal Design; and
4. Career-Management Skills and Lifelong Career Mobility
The report on the consultation on the development of the strategic framework can be accessed online at: Guidance.
The National Lifelong Guidance Policy Group comprises senior officials from five government departments: the Department of Education, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Department of Social Protection, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Department of Education chairs the group.