Choose a job you love - Career Development and Counselling Program as a new library service

Abstract

Education system in Macedonia is in the process of transformation. Youngsters found themselves in a situation when making a choice of their future development is rather hard. Unemployment is a continuing problem in the Macedonian economy and many young people in Macedonia find themselves in difficult or precarious situation. The national and local authorities are recognizing that future prosperity of the community depends on its young people. Therefore education, employment and youth are main priorities in almost all strategic documents adopted by the City of Skopje, local-self-government unit responsible for all secondary schools in Skopje. Youth development is also one of the priorities of the Strategy for Development of the City Library “Braka Miladinovci” - Skopje, which is under the jurisdiction of the City of Skopje.

Because the career guidance and counselling services are not present or are not working actively in the schools, there was a need of establishing official Career Development and Counselling Program that is accessible to all young people, regardless of their place of living and school they are going to. The City Library is ideal place for offering this service, as it strives to provide equal access to information for all. Career Guidance and Counselling Program was established as a new library service. Career guidance has never been provided by any library in Macedonia, so the project was considered as one innovative.