Guidance System in the Czech Republic
OVERVIEW
In the Czech Republic, career guidance services are provided within advisory networks of two ministries: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MŠMT) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MPSV). Their provision is governed by the following laws and their implementing regulations:
- The Education Act governs the structure, functions, and management of preschool, elementary, secondary and higher vocational education.
- The Higher Education Act governs the structure, functions, and management of higher education.
- The Employment Act governs the implementation of state employment policy.
Additionally, an informal network of non-profit and commercial career guidance providers is gradually developing in parallel. These include non-profit non-governmental organizations, regional authorities and their institutions, educators, employment intermediaries, and self-employed persons.
To ensure further development and coordination of career guidance, the National Guidance Forum (NPF) was established in 2010 by mutual agreement between the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports and the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. It serves as an advisory body to both ministries. NPF members include representatives from both ministries, their directly managed organizations, and non-profit and commercial career guidance providers.
POLICY
Key objectives of career guidance are defined in the following strategic documents:
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Key objectives of career guidance are defined in the following strategic documents:
- ET 2020 Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training
- Education Policy Strategy of the Czech Republic until 2030+:
- Long-term Plan for Education and Development of the Education System of the Czech Republic 2023-2027 (implementation document of Strategy 2030+)
- Strategic Plan of the Ministry for the Area of Higher Education from 2021 and its annual updates:
- National Recovery Plan of the Czech Republic
- Strategic Employment Policy Framework until 2030
SERVICE AND PRACTICE
The provision of career guidance varies primarily according to the target group and the governing law.
Career Guidance in Regional Education
At primary, secondary, and higher vocational schools (regional education), the director is legally required to establish a school counselling centre (ŠPP). The mandatory minimum staffing of the ŠPP includes a school prevention methodologist and an educational counsellor. Additional staff such as school psychologists, special educators, or social educators may be involved if available. Career guidance is a part of the educational counsellor's role, providing support to students and their legal guardians in making their first career choice.
Schools, their students, and their legal guardians can utilize the services of educational counselling centres (pedagogical-psychological counselling centres, special educational centres) and the Information and Guidance Centre for Career Choice and Change of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic.
Career Guidance in Higher Education
According to the Higher Education Act, universities are required to provide information and counselling services to applicants, students, and other persons regarding their studies and the employment of graduates. The university specifies how these services are provided within its long-term plan.
Career Guidance in Public Employment Services
The Labour Office of the Czech Republic provides career guidance to job seekers and applicants through specialized centres called Information and Advisory Centres for Career Choice and Change (IPS). These centres provide career guidance to youth and other interested parties. IPS collaborates with schools, offers group counselling for the first career choice, and provides individual consultations to students and their legal representatives.
Other Career Guidance Providers
Career guidance is a dynamically developing field involving various non-profit and non-governmental organizations, regional educational and career centres, etc. The number, scope, and range of services provided by these organizations are not monitored.
TRAINING
Further professional education for career counsellors is determined by the relevant laws.
Education Act
The position of a career counsellor is not defined in the Education Act or related regulations. This role is performed by an educational counsellor who must be a graduate of a university program in pedagogy and complete specialized training within a lifelong learning program at a university lasting at least 250 teaching hours to receive certain benefits.
Employment Act and Civil Service Act
Further professional education for advisory workers of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic is governed by the Civil Service Act. The Labour Office provides mandatory initial and ongoing training through its training centres. Further education focuses on acquiring professional knowledge, developing soft skills, and information and communication technology skills.
Others Individuals with relevant experience and practice can obtain a professional qualification certificate “Career Counsellor” at qualification level 6 according to the European Qualifications Framework by passing an exam with an authorized person, according to the Act on Verification and Recognition of Further Education Results.
The range of courses for career counsellors provided by various educational institutions is expanding, and as of May 1st 2024, also includes programs at three universities:
- Bachelor’s degree program, 6 semesters, Institute of Education and Counselling at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague
- Career Guidance, Lifelong Learning program, 4 semesters, Faculty of Humanities at Charles University
- Career Guidance and Coaching, Master’s degree program, 4 semesters, Collegium Humanum - Warsaw Management University
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The National Pedagogical Institute of the Czech Republic (NPI ČR), a directly managed institution of the MŠMT (the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports), has been long engaged in issues of career guidance in regional education. NPI ČR is responsible for methodological support of career guidance, conducting analytical surveys, and creating supportive materials for schools.
The NPI includes the Czech Euroguidance Centre, which contributes to the development of career counsellors' competencies through its activities. It is involved in the design of the primary and secondary school curriculum. In addition, Euroguidance Centre in Czechia issues a professional e-journal Career Counselling in Theory and Practice which contains information on developments in career guidance research in the Czech Republic and Europe.
The Centre for Higher Education Studies (a public research institution) conducts surveys on advisory services at universities within domestic and international projects. Career guidance is an integral part of university counselling.
The Research Institute of Labour and Social Affairs (a public research institution) conducts research on career guidance in employment services within domestic and international projects.
With the expanding range of career guidance services, the number of bachelor’s and master’s theses exploring various aspects of career guidance and career management skills is increasing.
Various non-profit organizations also conduct research on different aspects of career guidance within projects funded by the European Social Funds and international EU programs such as Erasmus+ and Horizon.
ETHICS
In 2022, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports adopted the Teacher's Code of Ethics at a press conference. This initiative was led by the Teachers' Platform and involved representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Czech School Inspectorate, the Association of Deans of Pedagogical Faculties, directors' associations, the Czech Secondary School Union, and the Parents' Union. This ethical code also applies to educational/career counsellors working in regional education.
In employment services, career counsellors adhere to the Code of Ethics for employees of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
The following associations, which bring together career counsellors, have their own codes of ethics published on their websites:
Last updated at: March 2025
