A continuous process that enables citizens at any age and at any point in their lives to identify their capacities, competences and interests, to make educational,training and occupational decisions and to manage their individual life paths in learning, work and other settings in which those capacities and competences are learned and/or used. Guidance covers a range of individual and collective activities relating to information-giving, counselling,competence assessment, support, and the teaching of decision-making and career management skills.
Source: EU Council 2008, Europe

Lifelong guidance aims to provide career development support for individuals of all ages, at all career stages. It includes activities such as careers information, advice, counselling, assessment of skills and mentoring. Quality guidance services should be available to all individuals, regardless of their employment situation and independently of their socioeconomic status, ethnicity or gender.
Source: CEDEFOP (LLL) 2015, Europe