Page 92 - Guiding-at-risk-youth-through-learning-to-work-Lessons-from-across-Europe

Guiding at-risk youth through learning to work
Lessons from across Europe

education, some early school leavers thrive in the world of work, where they are
able to develop relevant skills (CBI, 2008). For these, support to enter
employment may be more appropriate. Nevertheless, young people from
vulnerable groups often need additional support when trying to access
employment because early school leavers are generally more likely to find
themselves in low-paid, insecure jobs and in a cycle of recurrent unemployment
(although there are national variations) (OECD, 2008; Walther, 2002a).
A number of labour market reintegration projects provide help for these groups
to make the transition to employment, usually through vocational training, work-
based learning and guidance. Labour market integration programmes for at-risk
young people have been found in, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, France,
Lithuania, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, Sweden and the United
Kingdom. These programmes range from simple job-search assistance to more
specialised support, such as intensive guidance to help to identify suitable career
direction and in finding employment. Many projects provide a similar continuum of
support to education reintegration interventions but with a focus on labour market
integration. Usually these programmes also provide ‘after-care’; the young person
is also supported by his/her mentor during their first months of employment.

Competence agencies (Kompetenzagenturen), Germany

Competence agencies were established to improve the social and professional integration of
young people living in deprived areas. They aim to support young people whom the traditional
system has not been able to help in the transition from school to the labour market (BMFSFJ,
2007). The agencies make use of a range of regional networks, alliances and resources to find
innovative solutions to the problems faced by the young people. Partners include child and youth
agencies, employment agencies, schools and other local interests

One of the primary tasks of competence agencies is to help young people looking for support to
enter employment. ‘Casemanagement’ forms an integral part of the approach. Special case
managers in each agency work with the young person to develop an individual support and
qualification programme. Their specific activities include:
• outreach and preventive work;
• helping young people access opportunities for integration and qualifications;
• assessment of competences and the development of integration and education plans;
• continuous management of individuals under the case worker’s care.
Case managers contact young people through youth centres, Streetwork (a nationwide federal
association of regional social workers), local youth meeting points or through family contacts
(http://www.kinderjugendhilfe.info, 2009). They are responsible for monitoring the implementation
of plans and supporting young people in the long term. Critical to this support is consideration of
the young person’s personal and family environment and the regional context.
Competence agencies have established themselves as important partners for job centres. They
provide their specific knowhow and competences in handling the case management strategy with
young persons who are difficult to integrate.

The case manager approach has proved particularly valuable as the long-term approach allows
them to ‘follow-up’ young people. The case workers can contact young people once they have
started or have dropped out of requalification courses. Should a drop-out occur, the follow-up
process enables the case worker to find alternative provision quickly and prevent disengagement.

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