Quality in Careers Guidance.

This paper examines quality issues in career guidance, counseling, and information services in Europe and elsewhere from a range of different perspectives related to economic, ethical, and/or effectiveness criteria. Selected examples from the European Union member states, Canada, and the United States are used to illustrate how quality is described and measured in terms of statements, guidelines, standards, and hidden customers. National quality standards and national approaches to the definition of quality for the following items are reviewed: delivery of career guidance services; skills and qualifications required of career guidance workers; and occupational and educational information used in career guidance. The needs and adequacy of such standards and definitions are examined. Particular attention is paid to options for their use, their impact on service quality, and the implications of new approaches to career guidance for such standards. The roles of governments and professional career guidance organizations in developing, implementing, and monitoring standards and definitions are explored. The formation of genuine partnerships with national and international nongovernmental organizations, development of cross-sectoral cooperation, and establishment of a broad national lead body that includes all relevant partners are suggested as ways governments might raise the quality of career information, guidance, and counseling services. (Contains 40 references) (MN)