Given the current and future challenges for European societies, the impact of the recent economic crisis, demographic change and the restructuring of economies, it is more important than ever to develop lifelong guidance provision. Professionalisation can be considered the key to enhancing service quality, thus enabling individuals to manage multiple transitions over the whole life span and to better prepare their learning and professional pathways including increased potential for geographical mobility. Professionalising career guidance has several dimensions. This volume focuses on four of them from an international perspective: first, national training programmes for career guidance counsellors, second, the implications of recent studies in guidance research, third, the role of service organisation and organisational change, fourth, guidance for geographical employment mobility (EURES). Renowned researchers, senior managers and experienced practitioners from 13 European countries have contributed to this book in order to promote both a science-based and a practice-oriented international debate.

Dr. Susanne Kraatz, European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion where she is responsible for cooperation with the European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network (ELGPN) and manages projects such as the European Vacancy Monitor and a special mutual learning programme for Public Employment Services (PES to PES Dialogue). Previously she worked as lecturer and senior researcher at the University of Applied Sciences of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and at the University of Trier. Her recent research topics include career guidance, case management and employment policies for older workers.