The global challenges, such as the ageing of society or the digital transformation in the economy and society, are increasingly changing the counselling work in Germany. The Corona pandemic has further accelerated this process in recent years. For example, telephone and online counselling are now an integral part of communication with our clients, and online portals and interactive self-information services are being expanded. Another significant challenge is the increasing demand for skilled workers and the need to recruit skilled workers from abroad.

All these developments have made it necessary to update the nfb brochure "Lifelong Guidance in Germany", which was realised in friendly cooperation with the national Euroguidance Centre in the Federal Employment Agency. With its activities, the European information network for career guidance counsellors with over 30 information and guidance centres in Europe makes an important contribution to promoting European educational mobility and guidance cooperation in Europe.

As an association bringing together guidance associations and organisations, experts from science and research, business organisations and trade unions, the Nationale Forum Beratung in Bildung, Beruf und Beschäftigung e.V. (nfb) is committed to the professional development of guidance services in Germany and is a driving force in improving quality and professionalism. This brochure informs guidance practitioners and the interested professional public at home and abroad about the basic features of the German guidance system in the field of education, career and employment (BBB guidance) and provides a compact overview of the guidance structures and guidance services in Germany.