Work-based learning and lifelong guidance policies

This Concept Note discusses the relationship between lifelong guidance and work-based learning. While these are distinct activities, they are often advanced as approaches to answering similar broad policy challenges, such as developing a skilled and socially inclusive population, ensuring engagement with education and work, and helping people to progress and live happy and useful lives. This paper argues that lifelong guidance can be particularly useful in relation to work-based learning in three main ways: • Engagement. Increasing citizens’ understanding of work-based learning, the routes into it and the rewards of participation. • Achievement. Helping participants (learners, employers and learning providers) in workbased learning to remain engaged and consider how best to enhance their skills and employability. • Transition. Assisting the effective utilisation of the skills developed within work-based learning by supporting individuals in transitions from work-based learning programmes to sustainable employment.

This Concept Note discusses the relationship between
lifelong guidance and work-based learning. While
these are distinct activities, they are often advanced
as approaches to answering similar broad policy
challenges, such as developing a skilled and socially
inclusive population, ensuring engagement with
education and work, and helping people to progress
and live happy and useful lives. This paper argues
that lifelong guidance can be particularly useful in
relation to work-based learning in three main ways:
• Engagement. Increasing citizens’ understanding
of work-based learning, the routes into it
and the rewards of participation.
• Achievement. Helping participants (learners,
employers and learning providers) in workbased
learning to remain engaged and consider
how best to enhance their skills and employability.
• Transition. Assisting the effective utilisation of
the skills developed within work-based learning
by supporting individuals in transitions
from work-based learning programmes to sustainable
employment.