The document discusses career guidance systems in Spain. It notes that traditionally Spain had separate education and employment guidance subsystems, but there has been a process of decentralization resulting in both systems now coexisting. New legislation integrates vocational education and training (VET) and requires an integrated guidance system covering areas like guidance in integrated VET schools and a validation process for work experience. Resources for VET guidance exist at the national level on government websites and through professional associations, and at the regional level as well. Good practice examples of guidance documents used in Spain are also mentioned.

1. VET/Career
guidance
system
in SPAIN

2. INTRODUCTION
In Spain there have traditionally been two guidance
subsystems: one for education and the other for
employment. But, there has been a process of
decentralisation with regard to career guidance, and
now both systems coexist.
As a result, guidance is provided by different
institutions and organisations of the central
government and of the autonomous communities.

3. LEGISLATION
Lifelong guidance system, as an integrated system, can
be found in all new legislation that is being developed
following the Lisbon strategy.
In 2002, the Act 5/2002 on Qualifications and
Vocational Education and Training (VET) marked
the starting point for a number of changes that have
taken place since then.
This Act established the existence of an integrated VET
system, which means that there must also be an
integrated guidance system, including the following
areas to be covered:

4. • Guidance departments at the Integrated VET schools. These are
schools that integrate both education and employment training
systems
• The new validation of working experience and non formal learning
process (July 2009) will result in the creation of a portal between the
Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour. It also represents
common training for those in charge of the validation process
• A lifelong guidance working group has been created within the
National Board on VET which joins education and labour
administrations at national and regional level and social partners
• A lifelong guidance working group has been established by the
Ministry of Education with the autonomous regions
• A lifelong guidance platform
• Provision of guidance services for open and distance VET
• Lifelong guidance tools for guidance counsellors to help them manage
the new integrated VET offer.

5. In the labour sector, employment offices have guidance counsellors who
provide guidance services. Regarding education, guidance is provided at
three different levels:
Pre-primary and primary level
There are teams of educational and psychological counsellors that support
primary schools that are located in the same area.
Secondary level, including compulsory education, baccalaureate and
VET
In secondary schools and vocational schools, there are guidance
departments in which different kinds of specialist teachers are involved.
They are usually directed by a psychologist or a pedagogue.
Guidance at universities
At universities in Spain there are centres which aim to promote the
employability of students and graduates.

6. Resources for VET Guidance
At National level:
www.educacion.gob.es (Central Government’s education platform)
www.copoe.org (Professional Association of Counsellors)
http://todofp.es (Central Government’s platform for information and
counselling on Vocational Training)
www.sepe.es (Public Employment Services)
At regional level:
www.educarex.es (Education platform of the Government of Extremadura)
www.apoex.es (Professional Association of Counsellors)
http://extremaduratrabaja.gobex.es (Public Employment Services)

7. Documents used in VET
guidance - Good practice
Decide tu itinerario:
www.todofp.es/decide/ServletDecideIt
Elorienta:
www.elorienta.com/or/
(very useful questionnaires including videos about the professions)
RAYUELA
www.educarex.es/web/guest/presentacion/
Cuaderno de orientación:
http://recursos.educarex.es/pdf/zona-descarga-fp/cuaderno_4_eso_09_10.pdf
This is a guidance booklet for students finishing the secondary level including a
complete self evaluation questionnaire to be filled, in order to determine their
interests, abilities, motivation, etc… Once completed, they hand it over to the
counsellor at school for a final interview.