Innovative Practice 2017 on Employment, Work and Vocational Education and Training
An all-encompassing service package leading to employment in the open labour market
| Name of Innovative Practice: | An all-encompassing service package leading to employment in the open labour market |
|---|---|
| Organisation: | autArK Soziale Dienstleistungs-GmbH – ChancenForum |
| Country of Implementation | Austria |
PROBLEMS TARGETED
Before the start of ChancenForum, people with disabilities in Carinthia mostly worked in sheltered workshops, without proper compensation and without social security coverage. Low self-esteem and very limited career possibilities were among the consequences.
SOLUTION & METHODOLOGY
From its beginnings in 2004 until 2016, ChancenForum has supported 120 people with disabilities during their integration into the open labour market by providing them with job coaching, mentoring, and contacts with approximately 100 companies. The jobs offer a regular labour contract as well as the same medical and retirement benefits as their non-disabled peers.
Positions are in cleaning and maintenance, packing and organizing, as well as supporting facility management and aiding food production. ChancenForum also offers vocational training to prepare young people for
their future professional life and provides education in soft skills.
Mentors who assist in the post-employment integration process provide the new employees with security and support when needed. One of the success factors of the model is the combination of continuous mentoring and a permanent support system while performing on the job. This has resulted in a very low drop-out rate and in the stable growth of participating companies over the years.
OUTLOOK & TRANSFERABILITY
The cost for assistance and mentoring in 2016 was slightly more than EUR 2,44 million. ChancenForum provides information for other interested organizations and offers excursions and workshops to explain the model.
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