On Thursday 17th November, CASCAID, iCeGS at the University of Derby, Pluriversum, Educaweb together with the ELGPN presented the LEarning And Decision making Resources (LEADER) project to participants of the International Association of Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG) conference in Madrid.

The LEADER project involves a number of partners who are working together to develop and test a career management skills (CMS) framework across partner countries including; Italy, Greece, Romania, Turkey, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The Career Management Skills (CMS) are those skills that every person must have to manage independently and consciously their choices of study and work. Reflection on this issue is a fundamental element in the organization of guidance services, in order to guarantee every student and every person in life transitions phases the adequate guidance pathways to make the right step, to select the best opportunities, to apply effectively for jobs.

For this purpose the LE.A.DE.R. Project partnership has started a testing phase of the model, with identification of "pilot actions" in each country involved, in order to integrate the Career Management Skills framework as part of the main guidance services, from schools to employment offices, from professional training to guidance and placement services of the universities.

After one year of activities of research, the international Consortium of the European project LE.A.DE.R., promoted by the University of Camerino and Centro Studi Pluriversum has devoloped a common framework on Career Management Skills (CMS). This new concept is crucial to design, develop and assess career guidance interventions and services.

The level of disorientation of young generations is growing in our modern society based on knowledge and complexity, expecially in time of crisis. One of the main evidence of this is the rate of NEETs in Europe. The term NEET is used to describe young people who are not engaged in any form of employment, education or training. The term has come into the policy debate in recent years due to disproportionate impact of the recession on young people (under 30 years old). The unemployment rate for those under thirty is nearly double the average rate. Some 14 million young people are not in employment, education or training across the Europe. There are great differences among regions and countries. Rates vary widely from around 5.5% of 15-24 year olds in the Netherlands to 22.7% in Italy (Eurofound - http://eurofound.europa.eu/it/emcc/labourmarket/youth).

For young people from an immigration background the risk to become NEETs is 70% higher than nationals. Also having a disability or health issue could be also a strong risk factor.

The economic cost of not integrating NEETs was estimated by Eurofound at over €150 billion, or 1.2% of GDP. Some countries, such as Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia and Poland are paying 2% or more of their GDP.

CAREER MANAGEMENT SKILLS (CMS) is a strategic key concept for implementing lifelong guidance policies within national and regional education and employment systems.

People are becoming aware that the structure of work is changing and that the management of own career and learning process is a lifelong challenge. Education and guidance services are in charge to promote and develop these skills needed by all people for living this change and for leading actively their career paths.
Career management is based on the idea of an intentional management of work, learning and other aspects of life through reflective, evaluative and decision making processes (Haines, Scott, & Lincoln, 2003; Watts, 1998). 

The European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network (ELGPN) regards career management skills (CMS) as competencies which help individuals to identify their existing skills, develop career learning goals and take action to enhance their careers.