Why Career Counseling?

Career counseling provides young people relevant information on education and career options, prospects and alternatives. Improving access to relevant education and training opportunities can lead to gainful employment and better livelihoods. Career counseling also has a substantive role in reducing school dropout rates.

Learn more about barbers' work and career as entrepreneur by opening the link in this text. 

Currently Cambodia does not have a systematic career guidance and counselling system. Recent surveys have indicated that there is a significant skills gap between the education and vocational training provided and skills needed in working life.

The following facts provide some insight into the growing need for developing career guidance and counseling services in Cambodia:

• 65 % of the total population of approx. 15 million are under 30 years old 
• 33 % of the total population consists of youth between the age of 15 and 30 
• The enrolment rate at lower secondary education (grades 7 – 9) is 47 % and 23 % at upper secondary education (grades 10 – 12) (EMIS 2013 – 2014) 
• Dropout rate at secondary education is over 20 % 
• The amount of young people entering the labor market annually is expected to rise from 300 000 to 400 000 in the near future (ADB, 2013) 

In Finnish School system and curriculum the essentials of Career Counseling can be seen as shown in picture above.