Raimo Vuorinen

Research in Educational and Vocational Guidance in the Nordic Countries: Current Trends

The Nordic countries have followed slightly different, yet complementary paths in terms of research in guidance. The balance between studies in guidance based on sociology, psychology, and even ethnology varies according to the research focus and tradition in each of the Nordic countries. This article covers main Nordic guidance research issues with characteristic examples from the various countries under the headings of Structures, Contents, and Values.

The Perceived Role of Technology in Career Guidance among Practitioners Who are Experienced Internet Users

The increasing use of technology is placing new demands on career guidance practitioners. This article examines what changes, if any, have occurred in the perceptions of guidance practitioners regarding their role and the role of the internet in meeting guidance goals and delivering career guidance services. The data were collected in focus groups in 2001–2002 and a follow-up study in 2010. A total of seven focus groups were held. The data were analysed using combined methods. The results indicated that practitioners now observe that the need for differentiated service delivery modes is more explicit due to varied levels of readiness in decision-making and ICT literacy.

Transformations in Lifelong Guidance Provision

In this chapter, the transformations taking place at the different levels of guidance provision are analyzed. The aim was to provide a tool to examine the interface between multisectoral guidance practice and policy development. On the basis of earlier research on regional guidance networks, a model is introduced in which schools, social, health, and public employment services can jointly design, implement, and evaluate guidance services. The model for Networked Guidance Service Provision (NEGSEP) focuses separately on the developmental needs of guidance services visible to clients, both with regard to service delivery and strategic dimensions. Along this line, a framework for networked guidance provision based on the NEGSEP model is developed. The model for cross-disciplinary regional lifelong guidance networks presents guidance to a complex process with multiple parallel transformations. Transformations happen in all service sectors due to a wide range of goals whose implementation is the responsibility of a dynamic cross-administrative and multiprofessional network. Based on this model, the concepts of information, knowledge, authorization, resources, and power are useful to the development of the guidance network. These help to locate and make visible the interfaces between the different levels of guidance activity. Instead of being hierarchically organized, the guidance services are organized as a heterarchy based on the NEGSEP model.