Educational and vocational guidance

At different times of their life students must be able to choose the right path for their studies and training or their future professional activities.

Current policy in this matter is based on two definitions:

« Guidance refers to a series of activities that allow the citizen, at any time in his/her life, to identify his/her abilities, skills and interests, to make informed decisions for the choice of his/her studies and training as well as for his/her professional activities and this with the joint concern to support both the development of his/her personality and of the society. » (FORUM Orientation)

«Guidance accompanies and emphasises lifelong learning and helps individuals avoid or shorten periods of unemployment. High quality educational and vocational guidance not only support the personal development and the chances of finding a job of an individual, they contribute more generally to a broader and more sustained social and economic development. » (Association internationale de l’orientation scolaire et professionnelle)

In the Luxembourg education system, guidance decisions are taken at various levels. In elementary school, a first orientation decision is made at the end of cycle 4, between classical secondary education and general secondary education (see also Transition from primary education to classical secondary education and general secondary education).

Later in high school, students will choose a specialisation based on their results and interests. Every school is required to develop a guidance approach to help students make the choices that match their profile and offer the best chances of success. Other services may also be consulted in a complementary way. Most of them are grouped within the Maison de l’orientation.

High schools provide support for their students at the level of their education and professional orientation.

Every high school implements a school development plan, in which it defines, among others, an orientation approach adapted to its school population. The goal is to help students make the relevant choices that match their profile and ensure the best chances of success.

Guidance in high school

Throughout secondary education a series of orientation, information and counselling activities are offered in high schools as well as at the national and regional level:

  • information and counselling :
    • publications and information material ;
    • websites ;
    • information on higher education and the job market;
    • events such as the student fair;
    • information sessions for students and parents of a class or high school;
    • discussions with graduates from the various sections.
  • At the level of support and design of a training project :
    • pedagogic projects in a class or in all classes of the same year;
    • tutorial programmes in some high schools;
    • education of choices ;
    • individual meetings ;
    • individual support, psychological tests and the design of professional projects.

In parallel, supplements to the transcripts in the lower classes help students become aware of their skills and potentials.

Some activities focus more particularly on professional choices:

  • Work placement, more specifically at the end of the class of 5e of general secondary education;
  • Information and raising awareness for trades and professions :
    • a documentation centre on trades and professions (BiZ – Beruffsinformatiouns-Zentrum) ;
    • websites (e.g. www.anelo.lu);
    • events ;
    • discussions with representatives of companies or graduates in various professions ;
    • short-term work placements (e. g. Job Shadow Day) ;
    • visits in companies ;
    • development of entrepreneurship (Jonk Entrepreneuren).
SePAS in high schools and CePAS

Every high school has a SePAS (Service psycho-social et d'accompagnement scolaires), with a multidisciplinary team (psychologists, social workers, social pedagogue, education and career counsellors). Activities include psychological, psycho-pedagogical and social support for students, prevention (addiction, violence, AIDS, school dropout, etc.), mediation between partners of the school (students, parents, professors, official bodies...).

All the SePAS work closely  with external actors to promote integration in the professional world and in society.

All the SePAS are supported by the CePAS (Centre psycho-social et d'accompagnement scolaires).

Antennes locales pour jeunes (ALJ - local centres for young people)

The Antennes locales pour jeunes (ALJ) are part of the Service national de la jeunesse (SNJ) and their mission is to support young people in their transition from school to professional life. They can be found on 11 sites throughout the country so as to be close to  young people and their realities. Their staff is specialised in providing support for young people and implementing measures allowing them to find a new activity.

They are mostly targeting young people, who:

  • are still schooled but about to leave school without having a specific project ;
  • dropped out of school without a qualification.

 The ALJ provides :

  • advice and information on training offers and professional life ;
  • individual coaching in order to integrate studies or professional life;
  • alternatives to inactivity.

Further details can be found here (FR / LB).    

Voluntary service of the SNJ

The Voluntary service allows young people under the age of 30 to become active in the context of a specific project of general interest. It is an opportunity for them to learn and decide on their orientation while gaining practical experience during a fixed-term full-time activity. The minimum duration is 3 months while the maximum duration may, in principle, not exceed 12 months. For some programmes, activities take place in Luxembourg, for others in Europe or even outside Europe.

Services Info études et AideFi du MESR (www.mengstudien.lu)

The services Information études supérieures (Info études) and Aides financières (AideFi) of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research are aimed at secondary school students, future students, students and people who want to resume their university studies.

Info études provides information on higher education and professions, admission requirements and university enrolment procedures.

AideFi manages state financial aid for higher education.

Service d’orientation professionnelle of ’ADEM (ADEM-OP)

The Service d’orientation professionnelle of the Agence pour le développement de l’emploi ADEM (employment agency) offers individual guidance sessions and collective information sessions for young people and adults to help them choose an appropriate professional path. It manages the Centre d'Information professionnelle / BiZ - Beruffsinformatiouns-Zentrum, providing a large number of media. Adem-OP is also in charge of finding initial apprenticeship/adult vocational opportunities.

La Maison de l’orientation

The Maison de l’orientation is a one-stop shop for most of the public services in charge of orientation, improving access to information and individual support.

  • The Centre psycho-social et d’accompagnement scolaires (CePAS) supports students who require diversified psycho-social care and support and has developed various tools (workshops, creative spaces, intervention groups, alternative learning methods, etc.) to promote the well-being of students in their school environment.

Phone. : (+352) 247-75910
E-mail : info@cepas.lu

Phone : (+352) 247-85480
E-mail : info.op@adem.public.lu

Regional office in Luxembourg :
Phone : (+352) 247-75941, (+352) 247-75942, (+352) 247-75943, (+352) 247-75944
E-mail : alj@men.lu

  • The Service national de la jeunesse (SNJ) enables young people go gain practical experience during a voluntary service.

Phone  : (+352) 247-86481, (+352) 247-86480
E-mail : secretariat.transitions@snj.etat.lu

  • The Cellule d’accueil scolaire pour élèves nouveaux-arrivants (CASNA) is available for students aged between 12 and 17 who have just arrived in Luxembourg and want to enrol in a Luxembourg high school.

Phone : 247-85277
E-mail : casna@men.lu

At the same location, FAPEL informs about the cooperation between parents and schools.

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