IT
Findings from the survey on the supply and demand for career guidance services presented
WORK, INAPP: “YOUNG PEOPLE WITHOUT DIRECTION, ONE IN TWO DOESN’T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN LIFE”
Nearly 40% of people over 15 have never used career guidance services. The fragmented nature of the system requires stronger central coordination and the promotion of best practice sharing among providers.
Rome, 11 December 2024 – A lack of direction and guidance services that fail to attract young people: 38.2% report they have never accessed a career guidance service, with the percentage rising to 42% among the youngest cohort (15–17 years old). Of those who have not used these services, 55.6% said they “did not feel the need.” Yet, the need for guidance is apparent, as 57.3% of young people admit they have no clear idea about their future career plans.
These findings come from a study conducted by the National Institute for Public Policy Analysis (INAPP) analysing the supply and demand for career guidance services. The research project, carried out in collaboration with GEO, ANVUR, and the Centro di Ateneo of Federico II, involved 3,642 young people aged 15–29 and more than 2,700 guidance services, including universities, employment centres, training institutes, and secondary schools.
The study highlights the existence of a wide range of career guidance tools and services in Italy — such as reception, information provision, career counselling, internships, job search techniques, skills assessment, transition support, outplacement, mentoring, and career coaching. However, these services appear highly heterogeneous and fragmented, lacking stable cultural reference models. According to the report, “There seems to be, in whole or in part, an absence of a theory of practice and an intervention methodology consistent with predefined objectives. While there is awareness of the deficiencies, the cultural pathway required to address them remains unclear.”
To improve the situation, the report recommends “strengthening central coordination and encouraging the sharing of best practices among providers without compromising the flexibility required to address local needs. Investing in the training of professional guidance practitioners, building stronger networks of collaboration, and improving information accessibility for families are also essential.”
The survey also revealed a shift in how young people view work, increasingly considering it as a life project rather than merely a means to earn income, with a focus on quality of life. They are seeking not just jobs, but environments where they can fulfil themselves both personally and professionally.
“The research highlights the lack of a systemic approach to post-school and university job placement, which prevents many young people from accessing adequate information or guidance services,” commented Natale Forlani, President of INAPP. “This is a critical issue that must be addressed holistically by adapting active labour market policies.”
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