The vast majority of counselled clients attended only one session. The case studies are based on qualitative interviews with counsellors:
Client 1: this client is 23 years old, female without upper secondary education. She has not been in regular full time employment, at this moment, she usually works on temporary basis only. The client talked about her background situation and reasons why she has dropped out from the education in her final year; she was unable to complete final exam from English in her final year of the studies and she feared that in the case of another failure, she would not know what to do in her further professional life.
- Session: Client failed her exam in English and it emerged from the interview that she has also health related problems. She attended session in order to solve her current situation and to get psychosocial support. During the session which took place in Most, counsellor used card technique to help the client to express her emotions. She had to choose one particular card reflecting her current emotions. With the card in her hand, she started to talk about her fears and worries. Her self-confidence was at the very low level. The structured interview was aimed at determining her values and goals. Client discussed with the counsellor about her current priorities (education/health-related issues). The whole conversation was very passionate and client showed her emotions. She concluded herself that in order to get the education, she has to solve her health problem first. Client expected guidance and advice in finding solution to her situation. In the later stages of the guidance, client found out ways how to improve English language skills and she came up with the idea to secure foreign internship or job opportunity abroad.
Client 2: this client is 46 years old and she comes from region with one of the highest unemployment rate in the Czech Republic. She hasn’t finished her formal education at the upper secondary level. She has been employed as a cook in the home in the Retirement home. Although she is satisfied in her job, she feels that in order to keep her job, she needs to gain a job-related qualification.
- Session 1: Session was primarily focused on identifying her personal goals and on the ability to strengthen her competences. During the interview, client was very motivated to further education. She stated that she likes to learn new things and doesn’t want to be only assistant cook because she knows that she is able to improve her qualification in order to be independent cook or even head cook. She considers this position to be her long-term goal and the greatest motivation.
- Session 2: At the second meeting, counsellor explained the client that with regards to her current job and her practice (3 years) she can have their practice recognized within the recognition and validation of previous learning system (according to The Further Education Results Recognition Act (i.e. Act No. 179/2006 Coll.)). Counsellor explained the client what is required in order to have her practice recognized provided client with the necessary information. The client has been provided with information and contacts together with information about the estimated costs of the course. She enrolled in the course (authorized by the Ministry of Education) focused on gastronomy.
