DOCUMENT RESUME ED 481 364 CE 085 579 Social and Occupational Integration of Disadvantaged People. TITLE Leonardo da Vinci Good Practices Series. INSTITUTION Commission of the European Communities, Brussels (Belgium). Directorate-General for Education and Culture. REPORT NO NC-41-01-842-EN-C; No-6 ISBN-92-894-2177-0 ISBN 2003-00-00 PUB DATE 16p.; Also available in French, German, Italian and Spanish. NOTE AVAILABLE FROM For full text: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/ programmes/leonardo/new/leonardo2/broc_bp/ bon_prat6_en.pdf. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. CD ROMs; Comparative Education; *Disadvantaged; Disadvantaged DESCRIPTORS Youth; *Educational Practices; Elementary Secondary Education; Employment Potential; Employment Qualifications; Employment Services; Foreign Countries; Interpersonal Competence; Job Skills; Learning Disabilities; Partnerships in Education; Postsecondary Education; *Program Content; Skill Development; *Social Integration; *Vocational Adjustment; *Vocational Education IDENTIFIERS Best Practices; *Europe ABSTRACT This document profiles nine European programs that exemplify good practice in social and occupational integration of disadvantaged people. The programs profiled are as follows: (1) Restaurant Venezia (a CD-ROM program to improve the reading and writing skills of young people in Luxembourg who have learning difficulties); (2) an integrated laboratory for teaching young people in Italy to read and write; (3) European Trainers against Exclusion (a project to facilitate the labor market integration of victims of occupational and social exclusion); a program that champions (4) the cause of people with disabilities in Greece, Sweden, and the United Kingdom and tries to find solutions to their employment problems; a (5) comparison of innovative models of vocational guidance for young disadvantaged people in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Finland; (6) KeyNet (a project to give a second chance to unemployed people in areas of high unemployment in Germany, Greece, Sweden, and the United Kingdom through development of key skills); (7) Entrance (a program to improve prisoners' social and occupational skills); a program to improve the employability (8) of prisoners in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom; and (9) Sociodroga (a program providing continuous training to social workers and others responsible for education and training in the field of drug addiction). (MN) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) dThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Leonardo da Vinci Series: Good Practices Social and occupational integration of disadvantaged people PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 1 ariar- 44.5,er * * AVAILABLE COPY BEST \ European Commission Directorate-General for Education and Culture A great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server (http://europa.eu.int). Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2003 ISBN 92-894-2177-0 c European Communities, 2003 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Printed in Belgium PRINTED ON WHITE CHLORINE-FREE PAPER BEST COPY AVMLABLE The requirements of today's labour market and new sectors of activity call for constant updating of knowledge and professional skills so now, more than ever, lifelong learning is essential for everyone. The EU's Leonardo da Vinci programme, launched in 1995, has brought innovation to the field of vocational training, giving a targeted response to these new needs. The results of the projects supported under this programme deserve to be disseminated as widely as possible among those involved in vocational training, the social partners, policy- makers and citizens generally. They should subsequently be adapted to other target groups with a view to being developed and used in other occupational sectors and environments. In this way, businesses and associations working for the benefit of citizens may improve their practices. On the policy front, project results should be reflected also in national and regional training systems. With this in mind, the Directorate-General for Education and Culture, which manages the Leonardo da Vinci programme, has introduced a series of brochures entitled 'Leonardo da Good practices', providing information on the programme's results. These brochures Vinci are designed to familiarise as many people as possible with examples of good practice stemming from the programme. The projects described here have been selected on the basis of their impact and originality of their results, but this selection represents only a small sample of the programme's output between 1995 and 1999. It is with great pleasure that I present this brochure and hope that you will find it interesting. , - - - Viviane Reding Member of the European Commission with responsibility for education and culture BEST COPY AVAILABLE 4 INTRODUCTION SOCIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL INTEGRATION OF DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE Improving and adapting the general level of education and training in Europe, in line with the demands of the labour market, is one of the main objectives of Community vocational training policy. In striving to equip the available manpower with the skills required by employers, the Commission gives priority to improving employability, with particular emphasis on the more vulnerable groups. While improvement in the quality of education generally is to be welcomed, the benefits of this people who have left the education system are unfortunately lost on those deemed to be at risk, especially young in the labour market prematurely and workers who do not have the necessary qualifications to move into or reintegrate or to maintain their place in it. of certain social or individual Risk groups may be defined as people who are more specifically disadvantaged because socially and psychologically, handicaps. These people must make an additional effort, not just on the job front, but also themselves, and thus to boost their chances to give themselves a chance of competing with those more fortunate than of getting a job and living harmoniously in society. development of the less Vocational training policy therefore has a very important role to play in the socio-occupational well-off, aiming to help them find their way to a better life. of experts and professionals On the whole, the Leonardo da Vinci projects are experimental actions carried out by groups seeking to respond to clearly defined needs in their areas of specialisation. You can also write to the following address: The products described in this brochure are held to constitute good practice in that they have helped to improve the quality of vocational training and raise the skill levels of disadvantaged people in a wide European Commission variety of sectors. They deal with the social and occupational integration Education and Culture Directorate-General of ex-prisoners, specialised training for people suffering from physical 'Application and dissemination of innovation' disabilities, and the offer of a second chance at training for young Unit people and adults who have received inadequate schooling. They also Leonardo da Vinci Programme propose solutions to the problems of unemployed people and others 05/67 B7 pushed to the margins of society by drugs and suchlike. B-1049 Brussels Fax (32-2) 295 57 23 Many of these Leonardo da Vinci products are still being perfected with E-mail: [email protected] of a view to making the greatest possible contribution to the process integrating disadvantaged people in Europe. More information about the Leonardo da Vinci programme and the electronic version of this brochure can be found at: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/education/leonardo/leonardo2_en.html BEST COPY AVAILABLE 5 DELTA (Restaurant Venezia) The 'Restaurant Venezia' CD-ROM has been a great group. An assessment of performance is available if the success in technical schools, helping young people with pupil wants one. learning difficulties to read and write better in their first language (Luxembourg, 1997) In total, 2 000 copies of the CD-ROM have been produced (1 000 in French and 1 000 in German) and distributed to The project, developed by Luxembourgish, French and schools and adult education organisations. German partners, was designed to help young people and adults with learning difficulties to overcome a lack of The Luxembourg media (press, television) have radio, disseminated the results of this project widely. Training rudimentary knowledge of their mother tongue or to help them understand the language of the country in which sessions for trainers continue to be organised regularly in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. The CD-ROM is they live. As a user-friendly interactive learning tool, it offers multiple opportunities for use schools and expected to be marketed at the end of 2002. in evening classes for young people and/or adults, on an In view of the product's success, the partners are now individual or group basis. working on the development of the DELTA project and the creation of three new language versions (English, The CD-ROM was devised by a team of teachers, trainers, psychologists, social workers and educational software Letzeburgish and Portuguese) of the 'Restaurant Venezia' designers working closely with potential users testing the CD-ROM. product throughout its development. It simulates a get- together of a dozen or so young people in a restaurant A third product in the pipeline will focus on the elementary education of children with learning difficulties. where, on the basis of writing, reading and oral expression exercises built into the scenario, the pupils can improve their knowledge of their first language or the language of the country in which they live. For example, after having decided on the menu for the group, the participant is required to read it, order it in writing and calculate the cost. Those involved will also be encouraged to give their opinion on social issues, such as parental authority and solidarity among young people. In all, 70 exercises are offered with three levels of difficulty. The CD-ROM can be used for training individually, semi-autonomously or in a FURTHER INFORMATION FROM: r 01/1111. Mr E. Plein 16, Cite Pierre Frieden L-6673 Mertert Tel. (352) 75 06 65 49/74 81 39 Fax (352) 74 88 25 E-mail: [email protected] 6 BESTCOPYAVAILABLE Social and occupational integration of disadvantaged people Integrated laboratory for teaching young people to read and write Use of the CD-ROM as the preferred teaching tool in Within its specific target area, the product is used in Italy in the school particularly literacy courses, in programmes for the training of illiterate young people basic environment, for young illiterate adults (Italy, 1995) by the Piedmont Employment Agency, the City of Turin and the Primary Schools Training Centre (1RRSAE), involving programmes of 150 hours and vocational English and Greek partners initially devised a Italian, method and electronic material for learning first preparation courses. More than 2 000 young people have a language through flexible semi-autonomous training. benefited from it in the first two years of its use. In Greece, the product is used by the City of Athens and, in the They then set about applying this new training method in United Kingdom, by the City of Bradford. practice, devising a plan for workplace reintegration and equipping vocational training schools with the facilities for accommodating young illiterate adults. The basic product is a CD-ROM which, with the accom- panying handbook and user guide, is available in English, Greek and Italian. There is also a guide aimed specifically at teachers. Some 500 copies have been distributed to training centres, schools and local authorities in Italy, while 200 CD-ROMs have been distributed in Greece and 90 in the United Kingdom. After evaluating the product, a group of 50 or so teaching experts set about disseminating the product. It was pre- sented at the following events: national seminars in Greece and Italy (1999) and the Leonardo da Vinci Product Fair (Italy, 1999); seminar on developing self-confidence and entrepreneur- ship (Iceland, 1999). FURTHER INFORMATION FROM: Ms R. Cristofanini Poliedra Progetti Integrati SPA Corso Unione Sovietica, 612/3/E 1-10135 Torino Tel. (39-011) 391 26 00 Fax (39-011) 391 26 01 E-mail: [email protected] BESTCOPY AVAILABLE 7 6 ETAE (European Trainers Against Exclusion) It is also used on an individual basis. Freely available European Trainers Against Exclusion (France, 1997) on the Internet, it can be consulted by all trainers wishing to undergo this form of open training and This project, run by 'Upitre Formation' in Toulouse, with online learning. They may also, on request, be given assistance from English and Greek partners, aims to support and assistance for their training. facilitate integration into the labour market for victims of occupational and social exclusion: the long-term Furthermore, ETAE training modules have been unemployed, migrants, women re-entering the labour translated into Russian and incorporated into a market and people with disabilities. LIEN-TACIS project setting up a resource centre for training people with disabilities in Novosibirsk. It proposes innovative solutions focusing both on the development of trainers' skills and on the design of tools A second Leonardo da Vinci project, focusing on the for open and distance learning. main ETAE training modules, was presented in 2001: the 'Net trainers' project proposes the setting-up of The following activities have been developed through the a European training platform for trainers in three project: languages (English, French and German) with online European certification for trainers. thematic training of trainers in various modules: the training needs of trainers, educational methods and new technologies, open and distance training courses; organisation of seminars on different topics: structures of centres for open distance learning, development of methodology for contacting an employer. The new programme for trainers is used for group training, within the framework of regional training plans and within networks of training centres such as the 'Maisons familiales rurales'. FURTHER INFORMATION FROM: J. Bail let (Director General) J.-Cl. Maurin (Project Leader) Upière Formation 28, rue de l'Aiguette F-31100 Toulouse Tel. (33-5) 62 14 95 86 Fax (33-5) 62 14 95 95 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.ymca-cepiere.org/f2f/default.htm 8 BEST COPY AVAILABLE 7 Social and occupational integration of disadvantaged people Employability of people with disabilities People with disabilities find it more difficult than their The Internet site, freely accessible, was initially translated from English into Greek and Swedish. Two further sites non-disabled peers to get a job. Coventry University's Centre for Research champions the cause of people have been added, in conjunction with a second project, for with disabilities and tries to find solutions (United Bulgaria and Cyprus. Each site is adapted to the specific Kingdom, 1996) needs of the countries concerned. The results of the project and demonstration of the A research team made up of employers, training providers, Internet site were presented by the three participating experts and people with disabilities from three countries (Greece, Sweden, United Kingdom) has looked more countries at a major international conference (London, 1999). Conferences in other countries have followed. The closely at occupations which are likely to make the most regularly consulted by organisations and web site of disabled people's skills and offer them employment, is placing particular emphasis on the communication sector. professionals dealing with disabled people. rise to a training programme The project has given designed to help people with disabilities improve their of more aware their occupational skills and be employment opportunities. The programme is divided into modules: career management and application of skills, employment in the communication sector, and European legislation. An Internet site has been created for the benefit of people with disabilities (young people with autism, deaf people, the mentally handicapped), professionals working with them, potential employers and the general public. It may also be useful for any person experiencing some form of difficulty and looking for a job (see the web site address below). F: FURTHER INFORMATION FROM: Mr David French Tel. (44-192) 663 25 75 E-mail: [email protected] BESTCOPY AVAILABLE 9 sa Vocational guidance for young disadvantaged people results of their study The partners disseminated the A comparison of innovative models in Germany, France, through networks at national and regional level, and a the United Kingdom, Sweden and Finland (Germany, wider audience was reached through the press, seminars 1996) and national conferences. They also distributed a thousand copies of an English-language handbook (170 pages). The partners first of all analysed the problems encountered when attempting to match labour supply and demand. As a result of this project, several new networks have They found that most of the problems related to young been formed to facilitate and speed up the transfer of people who had not successfully completed their schooling. knowledge: The aim of this project is to find the best method of A new system of regional-level networks has been getting employment for young people who, after failing to organised in Germany, dealing with vocational guidance, complete their schooling, find themselves disadvantaged in skills and specific problems of young people, together obtaining their first job, despite their desire to enter the with new opportunities for employment. In addition, labour market. the methods developed in the original project have been effectively utilised by the project leader, the After analysing their national systems for the vocational guidance of young people without qualifications, the Deutsches Jugendinstitut e.V. (German Institute for Youth), helping to promote innovation. partners considered the following three questions: What does the labour market have to offer for this category of Finland has organised a new system of networks at young people? How can their skills be evaluated? What is national level. the most appropriate training system for them? Germany and the United Kingdom are engaged in The partners concluded that it was necessary to create ongoing exchanges of experience, but not through a new networks to facilitate the communication of infor- mation and to investigate more effectively the measures system of networks. most likely to succeed. They put forward recommendations addressed to policy-makers and training providers at European, national and regional level, and passed on information to ministries, placement offices and research establishments. (>:Zi FURTHER INFORMATION FROM: Mr F. Reubel Director Eurobrug EWIV Mainstrasse, 11 D-14612 Falkensee Tel. (49-3322) 28 39 13 Fax (49-3322) 28 39 26 E-mail: [email protected] 1. 0