Masters study program Career consultant Latvia

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Masters study program Career consultant
/Latvia/

• Dr. Lasma Latsone
• Dr. Ilze Mikelsone
• Liepaja University
• /Thessaloniki, Oct. 13 14, 2008/

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• Masters degree program general characteristics
• Comparing the frameworks of competences
• Strengths and shortcomings of the program

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Beginnings

• Project
• European Social Fund
• National Programme of the Ministry of Education
  and Science 3.2.7.1.
• Development and implementation of courses and
  modules for the training of school teachers/
  vocational guidance practitioners, development of
  a higher education study programme for the
  guidance and career counsellors

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• The Implementation of Vocational Guidance
  Provisions and Careers Education in the Education
  Sector
• Project (3.2.7.2.)
• The availability of Career Education Programmes
  in the Educational System
• /February 2005 September 2007/

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...in compliance with

• Law on Higher Educational Establishments and Law
  on Education
• Career development support system (CDSS)
  (conception approved by the Council of Ministers
  of the Republic of Latvia in April 2006)
• Career Guidance Department of the State Education
  Development Agency and Career Service Department
  of Public Employment Agency

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Partners

• 6 higher educational establishments
• Liepaja University
• Riga University
• Daugavpils University
• Latvia University of Agriculture
• Rezekne Higher Education Institution
• Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management
  Academy

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Why Masters level program?

• Knowledge in education and psychology
• Life and work experience
• Example of other countries

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Enrollment requirements

• 2nd level professional higher education,
  teachers qualification
• Bachelors degree in Education
• Bachelors degree of Social Sciences in
  Psychology or psychologists qualification
• Other academic or 2nd level professional higher
  education and 2 years of work experience in
  counselling
• Duration of studies 2 years for full time
  students
• 2,5 years - for part time students

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Aim of study program

• Provide the students with the access to develop
  the competences,
• which would allow the professional career
  counsellor to perform duties at educational
  establishments, State Employment Agency,
  municipalities, institutions of social care and
  consultation offices
• as well as carrying out research in the field of
  career counselling.

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Objectives

• Facilitate the acquisition of theoretical
  conclusions and the practical experience in
  analyzing the issues regarding social environment
  and labour market, the choice and guidance of a
  career.
• Help to master the experience, gathered in Latvia
  and other countries, in career counselling
  methodology, to critically evaluate it and apply
  for the professional purposes.
• Implement the research work by adopting the
  general exceptance of the obtained research
  results
• Encourage the students self-realization in
  career counselling within the context of lifelong
  education.

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Theoretical base of the program

• Research studies and eperience of R. V. Peavy,
  P. Nilsson, P. Åkerblom, M. Lairio, S.Puukari,
  M. Launikari, P. Plant, B. J. Ertelt, P.
  Hawkins, G. O Grady, B. Law, D. Hughes, R.
  Vourinen, L. Kapelis, K. Pukelis, R.
  Lauackas a.o.
• Experience of Finland, Denmark, Hungary, UK,
  Poland, Ireland, Iceland, Lithuania, Estonia,
  Germany and other countries

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Content of the program

• 4 modules combining theoretical knowledge and
  the experience of methodological work
• Practical training in the Program - 26 credits

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Modules

• I
• Career theories 10 CP
• II
• Social environment and labour market 16 CP
• III
• Methodology of professional activities 22 CP
• IV
• Research 32 CP

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Competences

• Starting point the list of competences
• Study courses / competences
• Shortcomings of this approach
• Module approach fostering certain competences in
  more integrated way

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Problem areas

• Change the thinking patterns of students and
  lecturers
• Vitalizing the competences in language and
  activities
• Knowledge skills - abilities - competences

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Achievements of the program

• Collaboration between six higher educational
  establishments
• fosters quality of programs content and unity
• co-working in elaboration of educational
  materials
• mobility of lecturers
• Co-ordinating scientific and research activities
  
• e-learning opportunities to foster independent
  studies and collaboration with lecturers in the
  virtual environment

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• Initial research studies practical
  recommendations, models, suggestions for praxis
  development in the Latvian context
• Module papers updating skills and knowledge,
  growing in self-understanding and mastering
  professional competences
• Sharing knowledge with colleagues, teachers and
  pupils revealing the essence of career education

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• Awareness of multicultural issues
• Involvement of students in development of Career
  Centre (situation analysis, creating the model)

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Shortcomings

• Lack of qualified Career counsellors (with
  degree), lecturers often learn together with
  students
• Need for professional consultants at practical
  training places
• Lack of opportunities for practical
  implementation of competences during the study
  process
• Lack of team work experience

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Shortcomings

• Shortcomings in network system
• The need to educate society about Career
  counselling misconceptions
• Fragmentation of study courses
• Presently there are no graduates, therefore some
  questions remain unanswered

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• Questions/ comments?
• Thank you for your attention!
• Ilze Mikelsone mikilze_at_inbox.lv
• Lasma Latsone lasma.latsone_at_liepu.lv