JBH – Youth Job Assistance in vocational schools (Youth Job Training Programme)

The project

Many students are incapable to manage the transfer from general school education to the working world without professional assistance. The project “Youth Job Assistance in vocational schools 2010” attacked this problem and is a continuation of the successful work of the similar ESF projects which were implemented in vocational schools of the Schwaebisch Hall / Crailsheim rural district from 2004 till 2009. 

The project offered assistance and guidance to 407 students of the vocational schools in Schwaebisch Hall and Crailsheim: Students attending a so called vocational preparatory year (Berufsvorbereitungsjahr or simply BVJ) or vocational entrance year (Berufseinstiegsjahr or BEJ) as well as students who attain the commercial college in Crailsheim in order to gain a general certificate of secondary education.

Three youth workers of the Kolping training centres in Schwaebisch Hall / Crailsheim have been deployed in the vocational schools of the Schwaebisch Hall / Crailsheim rural district. They offered routine consultation and worked together with the student in the development of plans for the students` future within the framework of individual case assistance. Besides they arranged contacts with information offices and with the authorities and gave support in the search for apprenticeship and with job applications as well. The parents of the students were involved as well.

In the framework of the close and goal-oriented co-operative work with the respective teachers of the students and with all other involved positions in the instruction of these students it was possible to find ways of offering every student a perspective. Almost all students have found a follow-up training for e.g. a vocational training, secondary school or a vocational preparatory course. Most of them have been able to develop a clear idea about suitable job possibilities. In addition, students were sensitized for the issue of gender-based occupational segregation and increased their spectrum of career choice. 

Thus the projects goals which stood under the motto “no certification without continuation” have been achieved.