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

The project

Usually, upon the completion of their general school education, students then either attend a vocational school or they take advantage of an apprenticeship programme in a company. Those incapable of directly benefiting from the two previously mentioned options, attend, in most cases, a supplemental qualification in a vocational school. Students who possess the General Certificate of Secondary of Education have the possibility to complete the “vocational career entry year” (BEJ); the so called “vocational preparatory year” (BVJ) is targeting at those students who wish to gain the General Certificate of Secondary of Education. BVJ / BEJ students have attended either a special or a secondary school; deficits that many suffer from are inefficiency and learning disabilities. Most of the students lack the abilities and moreover the possibilities needed for the independent planning of the course of their lives. The project “Youth Job Assistance” in vocational schools 2009 attacked this problem and is a continuation of the successful work of the similar ESF projects which were implemented from 2004 till 2008. Two youth workers of the Kolping training centres in Schwaebisch Hall / Crailsheim have been deployed in both vocational schools of the Schwaebisch Hall / Crailsheim rural district. They cared for as many as 487 students to whom they offered routine consultation. Within the framework of individual case assistance they worked together with the student in the development of plans for the students future, 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 BVJ / BEJ students were involved as well.

By the end of the school year 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. Almost all students who participated in final examinations succeeded in graduating with the General Certificate of Secondary Education or the Certificate of the BEJ.