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Bank of Good Practices in Social Inclusion through WBL
NEOIKIGAI, diagnostic tool for Vocational Guidance
Overview
NEOIKIGAI is a free career guidance tool developed by the Castilla y León Family Business Foundation, in collaboration with the Regional Ministry of Education of the Regional Government of Castilla y León. Its aim is to tackle high school dropout rates and the disconnect between academic training and labour market demands, especially in rural areas affected by depopulation.
Aimed at students in compulsory secondary education, upper secondary education and vocational training, as well as guidance counsellors and families, NEOIKIGAI offers two modalities
-NEOIKIGAI: For users who want to expand their academic training and need help choosing.
-NEOIKIGAI PRO: For users who have finished their studies and need guidance to decide where to work.
Both versions use the Japanese philosophy of ‘ikigai’ to help young people identify their passions, skills, environmental needs and professional opportunities, thereby promoting social inclusion and equity in career guidance.
The tool is implemented in Castilla y León, Spain, and is part of the Castilla y León Guidance Guide, which includes additional resources such as virtual environments and interactive workshops to facilitate informed decision-making about young people's academic and professional future.
Aimed at students in compulsory secondary education, upper secondary education and vocational training, as well as guidance counsellors and families, NEOIKIGAI offers two modalities
-NEOIKIGAI: For users who want to expand their academic training and need help choosing.
-NEOIKIGAI PRO: For users who have finished their studies and need guidance to decide where to work.
Both versions use the Japanese philosophy of ‘ikigai’ to help young people identify their passions, skills, environmental needs and professional opportunities, thereby promoting social inclusion and equity in career guidance.
The tool is implemented in Castilla y León, Spain, and is part of the Castilla y León Guidance Guide, which includes additional resources such as virtual environments and interactive workshops to facilitate informed decision-making about young people's academic and professional future.
Objectives
The main goal of the NEOIKIGAI best practice is to empower young people—especially those at risk of disconnection from education and employment—to discover meaningful career paths through a structured, reflective process rooted in the Japanese concept of ikigai (purpose). By helping learners align their interests, strengths, and values with real-world career opportunities, the tool strengthens vocational identity and supports more informed, motivated participation in education and training pathways, including Work-Based Learning (WBL).
NEOIKIGAI is particularly impactful for underrepresented groups, including students from rural areas, those facing socio-economic disadvantages, and learners with limited access to personalized guidance.
NEOIKIGAI is particularly impactful for underrepresented groups, including students from rural areas, those facing socio-economic disadvantages, and learners with limited access to personalized guidance.
Implementation
The NEOIKIGAI initiative was implemented as a region-wide strategy in Castilla y León, Spain, spearheaded by the Fundación Empresa Familiar de Castilla y León in collaboration with the regional Ministry of Education. Its implementation was grounded in the belief that equitable access to quality vocational orientation can transform young people’s life trajectories, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
NEOIKIGAI was integrated into secondary schools, VET centers, and guidance systems across the region. Teachers and counsellors were trained to incorporate the tool into orientation activities, ensuring its use in both urban and rural contexts and special attention was given to rural zones and areas facing population decline, where students often have limited exposure to career options.
By guiding students to reflect on what they love, what they’re good at, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for, the tool promotes purpose-driven career planning. This increases motivation and engagement, particularly for students who may not see traditional academic pathways as viable.
NEOIKIGAI was integrated into secondary schools, VET centers, and guidance systems across the region. Teachers and counsellors were trained to incorporate the tool into orientation activities, ensuring its use in both urban and rural contexts and special attention was given to rural zones and areas facing population decline, where students often have limited exposure to career options.
By guiding students to reflect on what they love, what they’re good at, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for, the tool promotes purpose-driven career planning. This increases motivation and engagement, particularly for students who may not see traditional academic pathways as viable.
Innovative features
Digital learning tools to improve access, Specialized training tailored to different learner needs, Uses technology to improve access, Offers flexible learning options for different needs
Measured outcomes
Currently, there are no officially published figures detailing the exact number of beneficiaries of the NEOIKIGAI tool.
Challenges and lessons learned
Introducing a reflective, values-based approach like ikigai—which contrasts with traditional exam-oriented educational culture—met some initial scepticism from educators and parents unfamiliar with the concept. The project team incorporated communication campaigns and family workshops (e.g. “Guiando a tus hijos/as hacia su IKIGAI”) to explain the benefits and engage all stakeholders.
- CountrySpain
- SectorLabour market services
- Target groupStudents
Leading organisation
Castilla y León Family Business Foundation
Date
2023, ongoing
Key stakeholders
• VET providers and training centers
• VET Trainees
• Government agencies and policymakers
• Employers and business networks
• VET Trainees
• Government agencies and policymakers
• Employers and business networks
Number of beneficiaries
Currently, the tool has been implemented in educational centres across Castilla y León, where it is used with students in years three and four of secondary education (ESO), as well as in the final two years of school and in vocational training. It is also used by school counsellors and families. NEOIKIGAI and its advanced version, NEOIKIGAI PRO, form part of the region's strategy to enhance vocational and career guidance for young people throughout the autonomous community.
