Guidance Counsellor Resources

Europass is a set of online tools to help users communicate their skills, qualifications and experiences and manage their career in a fast-changing world.  
The new Europass offers a range of online ‘e-Portfolio’ tools and information for people of all ages, to manage their learning and career.  
Guidance Counsellors can use Europass to support students and clients to:  

• Create a free personal profile  
• Highlight skills, qualifications and experiences  
• Create CVs and cover letters  
• Explore different job and learning opportunities around Europe (in progress)  
• Find trusted national information and contact points on working and learning in Europe  

As part of the new Europass, the Commission has also worked with 18 countries to pilot Europass Digital Credentials, which are authentic, tamper-proof digital credentials (e.g. qualifications, diplomas, certificates).  

• For more information see: https://www.qqi.ie/Articles/Pages/Europass.aspx    
• To create your free profile see: https://europa.eu/europass/en   

Students who complete their Europass profile can use it as one of the criteria to achieve ‘Euro-Quest Ambassador’ status

Euroguidance Ireland have created the following short video to assist students / Guidance Counsellors through the steps required to complete their (i) profile, (ii) CV and (iii) Cover letter

You can view the video on Vimeo by clicking the 'Resource Link' below

This study, published in 2019, measures and analyses the impact the Erasmus+ programme has on students who undertake a learning or training period abroad through the programme, in particular the impact on individual skills enhancement, employability and a sense of shared European identity. 

You can access the study report by clicking the 'Resource Link' below

Click HERE for the Léargas Impact Study: Erasmus+ International Work Placements for Vocational (FET) Learners from Ireland.
This study examines the impact of Erasmus+ work placements on Vocational Education and Training (VET) learners from Ireland through Erasmus+ Key Action 102 mobility projects. 
102 projects provide funding to VET organisations to send their learners or staff to other countries for work-based training or job shadowing.

This NEW programme provides a framework and incentive for schools to raise awareness of the value of mobility, for TY students and the whole school community. 
The programme will ideally be led by a Guidance Counsellor, in collaboration with colleagues. It involves the completion of 3  tasks:

• The completion of the Euro-quest modules with students

• The completion of a new Europass profile with students

• One other task of your choice - ideas / options are provided in the INFORMATION SHEET below

All tasks can be completed in person or in the virtual classroom environment - offering flexibility at the current time!

Download the 'INFORMATION SHEET' below and click HERE to register to take part.

This resource contains 27 ideas to celebrate Europe and promote educational mobility within the whole school community. 

It flags events that can be celebrated, opportunities to explore as well as providing a range of ideas of ways that the guidance counsellor and other subject teachers.
For example MFL, history, geography, art, Gaeilge etc. can work together to raise the student’s awareness of the EU and it’s educational mobility opportunities in a fun and creative way! 

• It can be used with any year group. Some activities are more suitable to senior cycle students.  
• Some activities can be adapted for use in the virtual class environment also
• It can be used to fulfil one criteria of the Euro-Quest Ambassador Programme

This resource provides students with a list of prompt questions they can ask a range of different guest speakers, from:

1. An Erasmus student
2. A local University / PLC representative
3. A local business representative to find out more about what it is like to study abroad and the benefits of internationalising their education
    

• It can be used with any year group, although may be more suitable to senior cycle students
• It can be used as part of ‘College Awareness Week’ or any other career related activity
• It can lend itself to collaboration with teachers of languages or business
• It can be easily used in the virtual class environment
• It can be used to fulfil one criteria of the Euro-Quest Ambassador Programme

This resource is designed for use during the annual 'College Awareness Week' (or a similar event). 
It provides a list of prompt questions which will enable members of the school community to:

1. Share their career journey thus far with students
2. Facilitate a conversation around the students’ current aspirations
    

• ​It can be distributed to any members of teaching staff- teachers, tutors, the principal, year heads, student teachers, SNAs etc.
• It can be used in any class, with any year group but may work best by designating one period / 30mins on a particular day of the week, inviting all classes to drop everything, put the books away and share their college journey! 
• It can be easily used in the virtual class environment also. 
• It can be used to fulfil one criteria of the Euro-Quest Ambassador Programme

Two students, Claire and Séan, travelled to Germany and France as part of their studies and shared their experience with Euroguidance Ireland. 

You can access their Blogs and Vlogs by clicking the 'Resource Link' below.

Below you will find a series of PDFs providing information on specific European Countries in relation to:

• Overview of options 
• Institution types
• Available Programmes
• Information on Fees
• The application process
• Important dates
• General entry requirements
• Links to other relevant resources for that country

Please note:
These are ‘living’ documents. 
Every effort has been made to source information from impartial sources and ensure its accuracy. However, guidance counsellors and learners are advised to always double check specific details and processes directly with the Institutions themselves.
We welcome input from Guidance Counsellors who may have country specific information that they would like to share.

For information on countries not yet listed below go HERE

Below you will find a full copy and individual sections of the Euro-Quest Student Workbook.
Two formats are provided for each of the modularised sections that students are asked to complete (English versions only) - PDF and Word.

These resources are also uploaded to the 'Teacher Resources' section of the Teacher Course on www.euro-quest.ie and can be accessed by students directly from their course page(s).

• For additional instructions on using the editable PDF versions see: https://euroguidance.ie/technical-faqs
• Students and Teachers MAY find it easier to access, share and complete the Word versions.
• Irish (GA) versions of each the modularised workbooks (in Word Fornat) are also available below