Green Career Guidance – From Theory To Practice

Climate change is already impacting careers, and this influence is expected to grow in the future. The labuor market is undergoing a ‘greening’ transformation, with ‘green jobs,’ ‘green education,’ and ‘green skills and competencies’ becoming increasingly important. Significant efforts are also being made within the education system to integrate sustainability, but also to address the emotional aspects of climate change (eco-anxiety) and prepare individuals for green careers (Hooley et al., 2024). The question of the role of career professionals in addressing today’s environmental challenges is not new. As early as 1996, Peter Plant highlighted the need for new guidance concepts in response to global warming and environmental concerns, suggesting that traditional, individualistic theories and practices of career development should be re-examined. But how can this be implemented in practice? How can we expand our perspective on career decision-making to include sustainability? Is this part of our responsibility? And if so, how can we do so while maintaining ethical standards, impartiality, and respect for the individuals and communities we support?

This training for career guidance professionals draws on research and best practices from six European countries, developed as part of the “Exploring Green Guidance” project. The “Green Guidance” approach and its tools were co-created with career professionals and tested with a variety of target groups. This intensive 5-day training program is designed for career practitioners seeking to integrate sustainable practices into their guidance approach. Participants will explore green guidance theories, gain insights into sustainable career pathways, and learn practical techniques to apply these concepts in their work. The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical examples and hands-on activities. Group and individual tutoring and integration of the network of Green Guidance ambassadors is proposed after the end of the training.

Trainers: selected team members of the Exploring Green Guidance project

Dates:

• 10-14 November 2024, Bratislava, Slovakia

Expected Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core principles of green guidance and its relevance to career development practices.
• Critically reflect on the role of career professionals in addressing sustainability and climate-related issues, including considerations of impartiality.
• Apply green guidance theories to reflect on one’s practice.
• Utilize practical tools and resources to integrate green guidance into daily practice.
• Identify and promote sustainable career pathways across various industries.

Content of the training:

• Introduction to the concept of sustainability in career guidance, different conceptualisations of green guidance (theoretical approaches, origins: Plant, Guichard, Rossier, Mastonati, Hooley).
• Ethical considerations and impartiality in the context of green guidance.
• Exploration of the various professional roles of guidance practitioners in relation to sustainability and climate change.
• The impact of the green transition on the economy and employment.
• Overview of green professions and available information resources.
• Critical reflection based on key texts in the field of career guidance.
• Operational framework for delivering green guidance (Dimsits)
• Role-playing and simulations using existing tools for green guidance tools
• Definition of an individual action plan for integrating green guidance tools into professional practice.
• Group and individual tutoring, along with integration into the Green Guidance ambassador network (post-training).

Programme

Day 1: Introduction to Green Guidance

• Participant introductions, setting expectations, and establishing group guidelines.
• Reflection on the role of career guidance, drawing on key critical texts.
• Overview of green guidance: definitions, significance, and the global context.

Day 2: Theories, Frameworks, Ethics and Case Studies

• Introduction to key theories and approaches, with an in-depth look at career development theories and their connection to sustainability.
• Ethical considerations and impartiality in green guidance.
• Case studies and examples of green guidance in practice.
• Gentle and realistic “green” career transitions, strategy of first small steps. Alternative narratives of career success. Frugal career and forms of life.

Day 3: Green Guidance Tools – Initiation and career exploration

• Operational framework for delivering green guidance.
• Introduction to the Green Guidance Handbook and Resource Pack.
• Green guidance tools for the initiation and career exploration phases.
• Practical workshop: role-playing and simulation exercises using various tools.

Day 4: Green Guidance Tools – Career decision-making, action-planning, implementation

• Green guidance tools for career decision-making, action planning, and implementation.
• Specificities of individual or group settings and with different target groups.
• Role-playing and simulations: applying green guidance in diverse scenarios.

Day 5: Green labour market information and integrating Green Guidance into practice

• Labour market trends and available resources on employment and training opportunities related to the green transition.
• Reflection techniques for incorporating green guidance into client sessions (‘conversation starters’).
• Analyzing one’s practice and identifying areas for integrating sustainability.
• Developing action plans for embedding green guidance into current professional practice.

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Course Fee and Erasmus+ Funding

The course fee is 700 Eur and it covers work of 2 experienced lecturers throughout the week, training materials, hire of training room and small refreshments (coffee, tea, water, snacks).

The content and duration of the course is designed to be perfectly suited to Erasmus+ funding. By applying for Erasmus+ funding, you can receive a grant to cover your travel, accommodation, part of the course fee and your institution will receive a financial contribution to cover management around your mobility. You cannot apply for Erasmus+ funding as an individual, this must be done through your institution (e.g. school, university, public employment office, professional association, adult education institution, charity or non-governmental organisation). Reach to the management of your organisation to inquire about the possibility of applying for Erasmus+ grant (Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals). If you need any assistance, do not hesitate to reach us. 

Current deadline for applying for Erasmus+ Key Action 1 projects is 1st October 2024. 

More information about the application process and different sectors: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-organisations/learning-mobility-of-individuals

The course directly addresses one of the horizontal priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme: Environment and fight against climate change. Do not forget to include this into your application as you will increase the relevance of the project for the Erasmus+ Programme. For organizations with limited experience in the Erasmus+ Programme, we offer assistance with the administrative process and application drafting. Please feel free to contact us.