Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
A chance for young people
Knowledge Association
Background
The results of a representative research requested by Association Knowledge , showed that unemployment is a foremost problem for the citizens of the municipality of Lovech 40.4 % of the people rated it first and 19.8 % - as a problem of second importance. Every nine out of ten citizens of the municipality (both employed and unemployed) fear unemployment and admit not to have any strategy to cope with this kind of crisis situation. When asked about possible reasons for changing their place of residence, 46.2 % of the people mention the very limited opportunities for professional realization and growth.
This program is especially significant for Association Knowledge traditional target groups youth leaving orphanages, the physically harassed, the imprisoned, as well as members of the ethnical minorities.
The results of a representative research requested by Association Knowledge , showed that unemployment is a foremost problem for the citizens of the municipality of Lovech 40.4 % of the people rated it first and 19.8 % - as a problem of second importance. Every nine out of ten citizens of the municipality (both employed and unemployed) fear unemployment and admit not to have any strategy to cope with this kind of crisis situation. When asked about possible reasons for changing their place of residence, 46.2 % of the people mention the very limited opportunities for professional realization and growth.
This program is especially significant for Association Knowledge traditional target groups youth leaving orphanages, the physically harassed, the imprisoned, as well as members of the ethnical minorities.
Practice
Project work began with training of high school graduates. It included a set of five activities on the following topics:
- information about labor market and most wanted professions;
- possibilities for continuing of the education;
- training seminar Presentation at the employers office ;
- individual consultations.
Professional training for needed specialists vice cooks, confectioners as well as on basic computer skills were organized for disabled young people. Fifteen youths in disadvantaged positions participated in each of the courses. They had graduated schools with no professional orientation youths coming from orphanages, just released from prison or members of the minority groups. The Labour Bureau selected the candidates for participation.
The prison of Lovech is the second largest institution of this kind in the country. A course for house painters for fifteen young people was organized there. It included a repairement of the prison dining hall. A construction work team was formed in order to continue the repairement activities in the prison. The youths received a special certificate house painter , which is a certain precondition for finding work realization after the end of their sentence. In addition, a literacy course with fifteen participants was organized, including 200 classes of Bulgarian language and 100 classes math lessons.
The project provided modules for work realization of young people, suffering serious physical and mental disabilities. Qualification courses in cooking and practical crafts for fifteen youths from Foster Home for Physically Challenged children in Lovech were organized, based on specially developed and adapted programs. The Youth Cooperative for Disabled Young people created, released its first production Christmas cards, ikebana, and tapestries. A local firm provided the Cooperative the opportunity to sell its products at one of the firm s stores. With the accumulated finances, a fund for turnover capital of the Cooperative was found.
Close interaction between Association Knowledge and the Labour Bureau Lovech was established. Both served as mediators between the employers and the youths who had finished their training. Group and individual meetings with the employers were organized in order to clear out the normative regulations for hiring, and to discuss the problems of disabled youths. Opportunity for internship practices at the possible workplaces was provided. The core of the project was the Agency for seasonal and part-time work. It was intended as an alternative solution for people who are unable to find permanent work. It functioned as a work mediator. Connection between the Agency and the Labour Bureau was established through logging in a common computer network.
Part of the project was the creation of a database of employers, offering seasonal and part time jobs, and the young people, looking for such. The Agency kept account of registered youths who had already passed their training and wished to upgrade their work qualification. The project collaborators - the Labour Bureau and Association Knowledge used that information when selecting learners for particular qualification courses. This improved the selection quality of those youths who were financially supported by Association Knowledge , as well as those, financed by the Professional Qualification and Unemployment Fund. For the purposes of stability, the Agency for seasonal and part-time work was based at the Work Club, division of the Labour Bureau Lovech. After the project ended, the Labour Bureau continued to finance the Club. Working on this project became possible due to the financial support of Charles Stuart Mott Foundation through the Foundation for Local Government Reform.
Project work began with training of high school graduates. It included a set of five activities on the following topics:
- information about labor market and most wanted professions;
- possibilities for continuing of the education;
- training seminar Presentation at the employers office ;
- individual consultations.
Professional training for needed specialists vice cooks, confectioners as well as on basic computer skills were organized for disabled young people. Fifteen youths in disadvantaged positions participated in each of the courses. They had graduated schools with no professional orientation youths coming from orphanages, just released from prison or members of the minority groups. The Labour Bureau selected the candidates for participation.
The prison of Lovech is the second largest institution of this kind in the country. A course for house painters for fifteen young people was organized there. It included a repairement of the prison dining hall. A construction work team was formed in order to continue the repairement activities in the prison. The youths received a special certificate house painter , which is a certain precondition for finding work realization after the end of their sentence. In addition, a literacy course with fifteen participants was organized, including 200 classes of Bulgarian language and 100 classes math lessons.
The project provided modules for work realization of young people, suffering serious physical and mental disabilities. Qualification courses in cooking and practical crafts for fifteen youths from Foster Home for Physically Challenged children in Lovech were organized, based on specially developed and adapted programs. The Youth Cooperative for Disabled Young people created, released its first production Christmas cards, ikebana, and tapestries. A local firm provided the Cooperative the opportunity to sell its products at one of the firm s stores. With the accumulated finances, a fund for turnover capital of the Cooperative was found.
Close interaction between Association Knowledge and the Labour Bureau Lovech was established. Both served as mediators between the employers and the youths who had finished their training. Group and individual meetings with the employers were organized in order to clear out the normative regulations for hiring, and to discuss the problems of disabled youths. Opportunity for internship practices at the possible workplaces was provided. The core of the project was the Agency for seasonal and part-time work. It was intended as an alternative solution for people who are unable to find permanent work. It functioned as a work mediator. Connection between the Agency and the Labour Bureau was established through logging in a common computer network.
Part of the project was the creation of a database of employers, offering seasonal and part time jobs, and the young people, looking for such. The Agency kept account of registered youths who had already passed their training and wished to upgrade their work qualification. The project collaborators - the Labour Bureau and Association Knowledge used that information when selecting learners for particular qualification courses. This improved the selection quality of those youths who were financially supported by Association Knowledge , as well as those, financed by the Professional Qualification and Unemployment Fund. For the purposes of stability, the Agency for seasonal and part-time work was based at the Work Club, division of the Labour Bureau Lovech. After the project ended, the Labour Bureau continued to finance the Club. Working on this project became possible due to the financial support of Charles Stuart Mott Foundation through the Foundation for Local Government Reform.
Results
- A Youth Agency for seasonal and part-time work was created. Only for a month, the Bureau provided 38 workplaces for young people in disadvantaged position, mostly in the construction business. All prerequisites for the Bureau to continue its work after the project were set up. - 87 youths upgraded their work qualifications. 13 of them started working immediately after the end of the project. - The project set grounds of a youth cooperative in the Foster Home for disabled children. A fund providing the minimum finances required for the cooperative to continue its work was settled. - The project strengthened the traditional partnership among Association Knowledge , the Regional Employment Service, and the Labour Bureau and created preconditions for future co-actions. - Working on the project Chance for the Young People Association Knowledge practically realized the citizen organization s mission generating ideas and initiating changes for society welfare, using the governmental institutions potential.
- A Youth Agency for seasonal and part-time work was created. Only for a month, the Bureau provided 38 workplaces for young people in disadvantaged position, mostly in the construction business. All prerequisites for the Bureau to continue its work after the project were set up. - 87 youths upgraded their work qualifications. 13 of them started working immediately after the end of the project. - The project set grounds of a youth cooperative in the Foster Home for disabled children. A fund providing the minimum finances required for the cooperative to continue its work was settled. - The project strengthened the traditional partnership among Association Knowledge , the Regional Employment Service, and the Labour Bureau and created preconditions for future co-actions. - Working on the project Chance for the Young People Association Knowledge practically realized the citizen organization s mission generating ideas and initiating changes for society welfare, using the governmental institutions potential.
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