EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Hidden talents in the job market

Hidden talents in the job market

Introduction

In an experimental setting, the model developed in Rotterdam 'Gastveilig' (Guest safe) is being extended to ID-functions in other sectors. The project focuses on two overlapping categories: women without a starting certificate and women in daytime education.

Problem

How can women and immigrants in particular with a so-called ID-job be prepared for regular work placement that matches the capacities of the participants? And how can the participants achieve the best from themselves at their own level of skill and ambition?

Description

Indigenous and immigrant women without a starting certificate are selected for the projects on the basis of a career programme and are counselled up to qualification and work of at least intermediate vocational education (MBO) level. The target group is well-educated immigrants, refugees, old and newcomers and partners of immigrant women who are being guided towards school and work.

Approach

The enrolment, first intake and individual counselling of the participants during the programme was performed by people from their own target group or of their own client organisations.
The selection of participants takes place on the basis of competences gained elsewhere (EVC).
Learning whilst working, i.e., dual-path learning, is key.
For professional career guidance, use is made of subsidised ID-jobs.
The professional training is not only oriented to the profession itself, but also to further progress within the branch as well as social aspects. Elements that are further discussed are: profession and branch-specific culture, language on the work floor and the combination of care tasks, work and schooling.
During the programme, experiences, competences and talents are kept track of. There is also recurring assessment, oriented towards the learning and professional capacities of the participant.
Participants take a career-selection test only after two years. In this way, mis-investment is avoided as much as possible.

Results

In mid-2003, 43 of the 56 participants (over 75%) had a certificate after two school years.
37 participants have a level 4 certificate.
Almost 75% of the first group of participants was initially ineligible for the training.
A number of participants in the programme have received a formalised ombudsman function. They call attention to the collective problems of the group and/or individual participants.

Contact info

Stimulansz
W. Roelofs, tel. +31 70 3469300

Project start date

01/01/2002

Links

Stimulansz (in Dutch)ECABO

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Employment