Montenegro steps up efforts to modernise career guidance system - EXCLUSIVE
During the initial phase, the priority is to establish a functional, sustainable and accessible career guidance and counselling system across all levels of education. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening institutional capacities, developing quality standards for career guidance services, enhancing cross-sectoral cooperation and fostering career management skills among pupils, students and adults. At the same time, the Action Plan provides for the implementation of concrete activities aimed at strengthening the links between education, the labour market and lifelong learning.
This was said by Mladenka Perić, Acting Director General for Career Guidance, Counselling and Strategic Planning at the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro, in an exclusive interview with CE Report, in which she discussed the implementation of Montenegro’s Career Guidance Strategy 2025- 2030.
Strengthening cooperation between education and the business sector is one of the key priorities of the Strategy. The recent meeting between the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation and the Employers Union of Montenegro represents an important step towards further enhancing this partnership. The common objective is to improve practical training, work-based learning and internships, while encouraging employers to take a more active role in career information and guidance activities.
The Ministry will continue to strengthen cooperation with the Employers Union of Montenegro, the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, the Employment Agency of Montenegro, universities, local authorities and other relevant partners in order to provide pupils and students with more opportunities to gain practical experience and make informed decisions about their education and future careers.
Developing human capacities is one of the key pillars of the Strategy. In cooperation with the European Training Foundation (ETF), OeAD and other international partners, the Ministry is implementing training programmes, mentoring initiatives and professional support for career counsellors, teachers, professional associates and school leaders.
A national Career Guidance and Counselling Manual is currently being developed, together with national quality standards and training programmes that will ensure a consistent and high-quality approach to the delivery of career guidance services across all educational institutions.
An important component of professional development will also be the organisation of study visits to European Union Member States and other countries with well-developed career guidance systems. These visits will provide professionals from Montenegro with first-hand insight into the organisation and operation of career centres, facilitate the exchange of experience with international experts and support the transfer of good practices into the further development of Montenegro's national career guidance system.
The implementation of the Strategy will be monitored through the Action Plan, which includes clearly defined activities, timelines and performance indicators. Monitoring will focus on the number of educational institutions providing career guidance services, the number of trained professionals, the accessibility and quality of services, the level of participation of pupils and students, the extent of cooperation with employers and the development of career management skills.
Regular evaluation will enable timely adjustments and continuous improvement of the system, ensuring that implementation remains evidence-based and results-oriented.
The Ministry will continue to expand cooperation with businesses, universities, the Employment Agency of Montenegro, social partners and international organisations. Particular importance is attached to cooperation with the European Training Foundation (ETF) and OeAD, whose support contributes to policy development, institutional capacity building and alignment of Montenegro's career guidance system with European standards.
The Ministry also plans to further strengthen international cooperation through joint projects, the exchange of professional expertise, the organisation of study visits and the exploration of innovative models implemented by career centres across the European Union and beyond. These activities will contribute to the modernisation of Montenegro's career guidance and counselling system and the introduction of international best practices.
The Ministry is confident that the implementation of the Career Guidance Strategy 2025–2030 will contribute to the development of a high-quality, accessible and sustainable career guidance system that supports citizens in making informed educational and career choices, while strengthening the links between education and the labour market and contributing to Montenegro's overall social and economic development.
Photo: Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro
This interview was prepared by Julian Müller
