ConsEDU: 25 million euro project to modernize career counseling in Romanian schools

The Ministry of Education and Research has signed the financing contract for the project "Transformational Practices in Career Counseling and Guidance (ConsEDU)", a strategic initiative worth over 128 million lei (approximately 25.7 million euros) that aims to modernize and expand career counseling services in pre-university education.

• Objectives: from vocational training to digitalization

The project aims to increase the quality of school counseling in primary, middle and high schools, by aligning it with European good practices and the dynamic demands of the labor market. Key objectives include: Training 5,000 staff: 2,500 school counselors, 2,000 principals and 500 teachers; Equipping 2,500 educational units with testing kits and modern counseling tools; Developing a national IT platform for career counseling, which will integrate: digital educational resources, psycho-aptitude assessment tools, online counseling and coaching modules, databases and personalized reports.

• An integrated model for guidance and counseling

The project includes piloting an integrated whole school approach model through mentoring activities with students in grades 8 and 12. It also includes: developing an updated national framework for quality standards in counseling; defining the professional profile of the school counselor and a related code of ethics;

implementing an accredited continuing education program for specialists in the field.

• European funding and strategic partnership

The project is financed by the Education and Employment Program, within Priority P07 - Increasing the quality of education and vocational training. It is implemented by the Ministry of Education in partnership with: University of Bucharest, CMBRAE - Bucharest Municipality Center for Educational Resources and Assistance, Bucharest Teaching Staff House, Iaşi County School Inspectorate. The project duration is 48 months, starting with July 1, 2025, and will be carried out at national level, in all eight development regions of Romania. "Strengthening career counseling and guidance services, in order to move beyond meaningless forms, is a fundamental commitment (...). The winners will be the school and the children,” declared the interim Minister of Education, Daniel David, emphasizing that the project unlocks reforms provided for by legislation, but delayed for financial reasons.