Career professionals examine the underpinning principles, values, perceptions, structures, policies and practical prerequisites of the guidance systems and policies. The continuous development of guidance services based on strategic learning covers the evaluation and analysis of services, visioning, communication and operations, and continuous learning of services.

The career professional has knowledge and understanding of

• the impact of global and societal trends and changes on the economy and working life
• how changes in society determine the guidance systems and policy development
• the needs of different client groups and stakeholder expectations that affect the guidance systems and policy development
• key theories, values, national policies and regulations related to guidance systems and policy development
• key stakeholder groups involved in the organisation of guidance
• policy-making and decision-making processes concerning the organisation of guidance
• the overall resources available for the organisation of guidance
• key elements of multisectoral guidance systems

The career professional is able to

• take into account the key elements and mechanisms of the guidance process in their development work (see also section B1.1 Features of the guidance process)
• obtain and evaluate up-to-date information on education, working life and social issues
• prepare an assessment of the current situation in their operating environment
• critically evaluate and utilise anticipation data
• identify the key trends and external drivers for change related to guidance systems and policy development
• understand their own and their community’s role in building the future
• identify the strengths and development areas of their own and the collaborative network's operations
• use client feedback and evaluation findings in replanning and developing their own and their cooperation network's operations
• draw up an action and development plan for their work as well as measurable indicators for its goals
• participate in the continuous development of the cooperation network and in the construction of a joint action plan
• contribute to the organisation of the work of the cooperation network with a view to achieving jointly agreed goals
• act proactively to ensure overall collective resources and mandate
• systematically document and report the outcomes of networking in accordance with jointly agreed principles (see also sections C3.1 Multiprofessional networking and C3.2 Multisectoral networking)
• establish new forms of work and their systematic evaluation as a basis for their own continuous learning and professional development