The activation of free market mechanisms brought about many changes in the Polish economy and contributed to the emergence of unemployment. The changes made it necessary to analyse the labour market, employment, types of jobs and to identify individuals' capabilities, job seekers' vocational aptitude, and new approaches to learning and training. This resulted in the appearance of demand for qualified guidance and job counselling specialists helping youth and adults choose careers and education paths. The article aims to describe activities specific to job counsellors in Labour Offices, as well as tasks and responsibilities connected with the profession. It also presents measures to counter unemployment applied by the District Labour Office in Łódź in the year 2003.

Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę