Career professionals follow current research and participates in social discussions related to the field. Demonstrating the importance and added value of lifelong guidance in achieving the objectives of key education, employment, economic and wellbeing and rehabilitation policies requires dialogue between career professionals and policy makers.

The career professional has knowledge and understanding of

• the systemic significance of guidance for individuals, groups, communities, service providers and social development locally, nationally and internationally
• the importance of guidance in promoting equity and equality and a sustainable lifestyle
• decision-making processes concerning the guidance systems and policy development
• key policy-makers responsible for guidance systems and policy development and their areas of responsibility
• the significance of evaluation and research data on guidance and its outcome and impact as a basis for decision-making on guidance systems and policy development

The career professional is able to

• identify the features of the guidance process in order to describe the position and core task of guidance to clients, collaborative partners, different stakeholders and policy-makers (see also section B1.1 Features of the guidance process)
• actively follow societal developments and current debate as well as multidisciplinary research from the perspective of guidance (see also section A2.3 Research in the field of guidance)
• take into account the promotion of equity, equality and a sustainable lifestyle in guidance
• take into account the personal goals set by individuals for their lives and activities, as well as the objectives of the functional education system and working life
• demonstrate to policy-makers and service financiers the added value of guidance and the social return of investments in the implementation of guidance services
• identify evidence-based key targets for guidance systems and policy development
• identify the necessary measures and solutions to support evidence-based guidance systems and policy development
• participate in public discussion on guidance systems and policy development
• include research-based information and evaluation findings as a basis for decision-making on lifelong guidance systems and policy development
• participate in the development of a regional operating model for guidance
• work with local, national and international partners to promote the objectives and operating conditions of guidance