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.

On 4th October 2016 was held the second International Conference of the LE.A.DE.R Project in Athens organized by Athens University of Economics and Business – AUEB named "Lifelong guidance in Europe: The shift to Career Management Skills Development".

Europe has centered lifelong guidance policies on the concept of Career Management Skills (CMS), which identifies the skills that each person should have to manage autonomously and consciously their choices of study and work.
The theme of Career Management Skills is crucial to design and organize the guidance services, in order to guarantee every student and every person in the moment of transition and choise useful guidance and advise to make the right step, to select the best opportunities, to apply effectively a new job.

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.

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.