Recognising the need for improved access and information concerning career counselling, the project will develop and test a prototype virtual tool in career counselling. Focusing on individual and privately-based career counselling, the 'virtual counsellor' tool (VIRCOUNS) will take the form of an interactive CD-Rom package that will be developed and piloted amongst project partners. A large part of the project will focus upon the concept and practice of virtual career counselling, as part of lifelong learning and through the use of new ICT approaches and tools. Piloting of the tool will allow for further development and improvement considering feedback from the pilot phase, with the eventual CD-Rom being made available in all partner languages. Given that a 'virtual counsellor' is not able to meet the needs of all persons seeking career advice, actual guidance counsellors also feature in the project's development. In this regard, the CD-Rom will be accompanied and complemented by new European curricula for the training of career counsellors. Project results will be disseminated, primarily through the European Association for Welding, Joining and Cutting, being the project's test-bed organisation although existing partner networks will also support an active dissemination plan.