Abstract
This paper presents the development of a pioneering project implemented by the Andalusian Employment Service (hereinafter, AES) since 2023 through the Andalusian Centre for Guidance, Entrepreneurship, Employment Support and Innovation, a space dedicated to innovation and experimentation in employment, career guidance, and entrepreneurship.
The project aims to enhance the employability of job seekers and students by fostering transversal skills using virtual reality (hereinafter, VR) simulators. It also serves as a valuable working tool for educational and employment professionals engaged in the development of personal and professional pathways.
Six VR experiences have been designed based on Bowman’s “4 Cs Model” (2009) and the application of agile methodologies associated with project management. These experiences enable the creation of pedagogical environments linked to guidance practice, grounded in principles of knowledge management (Nonaka & Takeuchi, 1995), collaborative learning (Vygotsky, 1979), awareness of different levels of learning (Maslow, 2004), and decision-making processes that address uncertainty through a complex and systemic analysis of reality (Gelatt, 2003).
The study describes the process followed, from the design and experimental piloting of the VR experiences to their integration as a permanent service within employment offices and their availability to educational institutions, highlighting the role played by career guidance professionals.
As a result, a range of associated resources were designed and implemented to coordinate the management of this service between the central services of the Andalusian Employment Service and its 193 employment offices across Andalusia.
Furthermore, the project has been strengthened through the creation of a collaborative network involving several Centres for Orientation and Employment (COEs) across Spain, aimed at sharing and co-developing new immersive experiences in support of career guidance.
Finally, the paper outlines the next steps planned for this project to continue innovating in the provision of public career guidance services.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Carlos Infante Rejano, Nuria Vallejo Acebal (Author)