Practice
WorkSkills
A short intensive group training course promoting vocation-oriented thinking and action. The programme includes an information, selection and assignment stage followed by brief intensive training in the form of a group meeting. This is followed by guidance and coaching to support, motivate and guide youngsters lacking a basic qualification to prepare them for a return to education, the labour market or a combination of the two. Workskills training builds on principles that have been applied in similar training courses (including the JOBS programme for the long-term unemployed and LifeSkills for social assistance beneficiaries). The programmes are based on at least four theory-based principles: active learning, unconditional acceptance, coping with disappointment and reinforcing effective behaviour. An important effect of the training course is that it reinforces the participants’ self image and self confidence.
This was piloted in 2004-5 with a WorkSkills group and a control group. The participants were young people aged 16-22 who had motivation problems, a limited vision of schooling and work and limited insight into their own capacities. Young people with serious behavioural problems and/or serious language or communication limitations did not take part.
One month after doing the WorkSkills programme, 33% of the respondents indicated that they were in training again and the number of respondents in employment rose by 7%. In the control group, not a single respondent indicated to be in training again. However, the number of youngsters in the WorkSkills group who found a job rose by 19%. The “attitude” to vocation-oriented behaviour also showed an increase immediately after the course. In the month after completing the course, the participants were more oriented towards a training course or job than the month before. A significant increase of “vocation-oriented behaviour” was measured.
For more information
Contact Peter van Deursen
deursen@leonardodavinci.nl
National Agency Lifelong Learning Programme
CINOP Consultant Euroguidance
The
Netherlands
Postbus 1585
5200 BP Den Bosch
T.: +31736800787 (0736800787)
M: +31610825185 (0653749283)