POLICY
Educational policies
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Policy are the relevant national authorities responsible for the guidance system in Serbia. The Education Development Strategy (2012), recognizes that career guidance in education should be improved, and states that until 2020 a system of career guidance and counselling should be developed and implemented at all educational levels, including adult education. This Strategy was followed by a set of changes in educational laws in 2013 that specified the role of career guidance in education.
The changes of the Law on the Foundation of Education System from 2013 (and the following amendment in 2017) introduced a provision that special attention should be given to career guidance and education of teachers, students and adults. This was followed by changes of the Law on Primary Education (2013), the Law on Secondary Education (2013) and the Law on Adult Education (2013) in order to implement career guidance programme in schools.
The latest Law on dual education (2017) also recognizes the importance of career management skills and student employability, as well as the role of schools’ teams in career guidance of students.
The Law on Adult Education (2013) recognizes the importance of guidance as well. Furthermore, the bylaw from 2015 which defines the conditions that publicly recognized providers of adult education must fulfil set the basis for the establishment of the working group for the quality of guidance services.
Current Education Development Strategy (2021 – 2030) continues with implementing the changes in order to improve the quality of guidance services for students.
Employment policies
The Labour Law (2017) prescribes the rights to education, professional training and development, giving career guidance an important role in its implementation. The Law on Employment and Insurance in Case of Unemployment (2017) specifies the role and the activities of professional orientation and counselling in choosing profession through employment policy, measures of active employment policy, as well as concrete services provided to clients. The National Employment Strategy (2011-2020) recognizes the importance of career guidance, especially in relation to reducing the mismatch between the skills supply and demand in the labour market. It is complemented by annual Action plans which define the aims and priorities of the employment policies.
Current National Employment Strategy (2021 – 2026) continues with implementing the changes in order to improve the quality of guidance services for job-seekers and enhance the active employment policy measures.
Youth policies
A new Youth Strategy was enacted in 2015, for the period of 2015-2025. It includes one specific aim which relates to the development of a functioning and sustainable system of career guidance and counselling. The Law on Youth (2011) emphasizes the importance of career guidance for young people and defines aims and activities.
Current National Youth Strategy (2023 – 2030) continues with implementing the changes in order to improve the quality of guidance services for youth through promoting entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, as well as establishing career centers and enhancing the activities of Youth Offices on the Local level.
