Page 16 - euroguidance-insight-2018-autumn

16 16

Flemish mediation for job seekers with extensive

support needs

GTB is a Flemish service specialising in mediation for people experiencing significant chal-
lenges in gaining employment. The service stimulates job seekers to take control of their
own pathway: the client is the driver; the GTB mediator supports as his/her co-pilot.

In Flanders, mediation to work - as sheltered, social workplaces GTB offered these services to
including for job seekers with a or voluntary work. However, as 8.418 jobseekers, of which 4.090
health restriction - is now a mat- GTB strongly believes in sup- subsequently found paid em-
ter of the Department of Work ported employment or Individual ployment.
and Social Economy, which the Placement and Support (IPS),
Flemish Public Employment work in a sheltered environment At the start of 2018, service
Service VDAB funds. Jobseek- should be only temporary. provision was developed into a
ers with disabilities, as well as more comprehensive model.
other vulnerable groups, are now GTB is represented in over 90
availing of the same local work- VDAB job shops all over Flan- At its heart is that the services
shops, vocational training cen- ders and employs about 250 job are as inclusive and balanced as
ters and internship opportunities mediators. possible.
as other jobseekers.
The service cooperates with a
Primarily, GTB supports the broad partner network, includ- For more information, please
client in the search for paid work ing vocational training centres, contact [email protected]
on the open labour market. If public employment services, em-
this is not feasible, GTB will look ployers’ organisation and welfare Patrick Ruppol
for a suitable alternative such and care organisations. In 2017, GTB service Flanders (Belgium)

Unemployed people with a great distance to the labour market (due to a work –disability) or people
on sick benefits for more than one month
+ Preparation phase towards employment: Workplace

VDAB
• empowerment group actions on stress, Special information services
networking, pain, employment goals towards employers
• workplace trial used to discover what jobs Monitoring on the success of the
GTB GTB are suitable for the individual recently employed person
• physical and or mental assessment for
mediation on the job training different employment opportunities
for unemployed • reflection on self-employment/entrepre-
persons intensive neurship
training and individ-
ualized support for • intensive mobilization for work, better
employees health and personal wellbeing