Page 2 - euroguidance-insight-newsletter-2012-autumn

Short News

LINK: Initiative to help people at risk
More than 40 career guidance practi-
tioners from Bulgaria, Poland and Spain
were trained to provide better services
to clients from specific risk groups –
low-skilled, elder, women, migrants,
etc. The training is part of the European
project LINK – Career Services for Bet-
ter Jobs –an EU funded initiative ad-
Photos: Irina Jemeljanova, Cedefop dressing the challenges within the la-
bour market for people at risk of un-
ministries, social partners, employers ces that are aimed at them. To be in- employment, poverty and social exclu-

etc. will be required. volved in such an activity can be an sion.
empowering experience for them.
The 3 European countries - Bulgaria,
The key to making working life more One aspect strongly emphasised at
Poland and Spain - are facing similar
multicultural relies in the first place the seminar was that guidance coun- challenges with large groups of popula-
on a political and institutional will, sellors, teachers and trainers play a tion, who are not seen as competitive in
but also on the role of guidance critical role in showcasing the success the labour market. In order to support
them in acquiring new skills, finding
practitioners, teachers and trainers, which migrants experience on their
new jobs and managing their career in a
which is critical. On the other hand learning and/or career path in their better way, LINK transfers a compre-
migrants must improve their langua- new home country. Advertising and hensive training methodology which
ge skills and should have a fair promoting the good results that has been developed and successfully
knowledge of the host country’s others have achieved may boost the implemented in 10 EU countries. It has
working culture (such as rules and educational and vocational aspirati- been adapted to educate social wor-
kers, trainers, job mediators, trade uni-
regulations, norms and traditions, ons of more migrants.
on specialists and other career guidance
rights and obligations), which will professionals working with such clients.
facilitate their integration. A good practice that is already in pla- The methodology will be tested with
ce in a great many countries is to client pilot groups in the 3 countries.
Guidance Counsellors, teachers grant an annual award to an employ-
To make the available career services
and trainers play a critical role yer who has taken concrete action
more popular and accessible, the part-
National authorities invest substan- with encouraging results to promote nership has launched an online map of
tial amounts of funds in activities ad- multiculturalism at work. These types the career services and providers in Bul-
dressing migrants, but its impact is of activities contribute to increased garia, Poland and Spain. The map is
available on the project website
not always known to them. Therefore visibility of migrant communities and
www.link-project.eu. Career profession-
it is advisable to carry out evaluations show them in a positive light. For mo-
als who are interested in promoting
to generate objective data about the re information please have a look at their services may insert their contact
successes and learning points of vari- details free of charge.
ous initiatives. In addition, it is often http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/e
The project is carried out by 6 partner
helpful to engage migrant groups in vents/19913.aspx organizations from 5 EU countries: Bu-
the design, development, delivery,
siness Foundation for Education and In-
management and evaluation of servi- Mika Launikari, Euroguidance Finland stitute for Social, Economical and Trade
Union Researches (Bulgaria); SURT
Foundation (Spain); University of Lodz
(Poland); BEST (Austria) and Folkuniver-
sitetet (Sweden). The partnership will

disseminate its outcomes in September
during national seminars and the final
multiplier conference in Barcelona. LINK
has been implemented with the financi-
al support of the European Commission.

LachezarAfrikanov/Euroguidance Bulgaria