Vulnerable young people accessing and sustaining vocational training and apprenticeships Erasmus Project

Project Title

Vulnerable young people accessing and sustaining vocational training and apprenticeships

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Access for disadvantaged

Project Summary

Aim
The aim of this project was to provide resources for current VET providers and employers with an interest in implementing apprenticeships and other training placements for the most vulnerable young people in our society.

Background
Our research found that whilst many employers and trainers engage with very vulnerable people in their self-development, there is a great deal of evidence that such young people fail to sustain placements and fail to go on to fulfilling careers. It is well known that this is a key issue that leads young people back into the spiral of offending. Experience indicates that whilst many businesses offer opportunities to the very vulnerable, it is often difficult for them to sustain the offer. This is because the issues facing the young people affect most, if not all, of their behaviour. Employers often do not know how to deal with what is perceived as poor behaviour and the default is to make them redundant. Employers need proper training to equip them for appropriate action to address issues with vulnerable young people. Where such transitions are made and apprenticeships are successful, we need to be explicit about what works and what does not. There is patchy and often anecdotal evidence but little substantial evidence-based work. The common theme emerging from existing work and experience is the need for social support: just getting someone a placement without an eye on the social support for a range of other issues is thought not to work by many professionals in the field. A web of support is therefore increasingly regarded as essential for helping the most vulnerable young people become constructive members of society. Our research has indicated that there is a need for common but multifaceted approach to supporting vulnerable young people through vocational education, training and apprenticeships.

Objectives
The key objectives were: 1) to explore the experiences of young people; 2) to identify the needs of employers; 3) to identify the needs of schools and VET trainers; 3) to map good practice; 4) to bring together practitioners; 5) to provide a model of evidence based social support requirements; and 6) to share good practice beyond the immediate partnership.

Target group
The direct beneficiaries of the project were trainers/colleges and employers that provide apprenticeships and work placements for young people. In particular, there was a focus on organisations that wish to give particular attention to vulnerable young people. This included private companies; public bodies; social enterprises that aim to improve the lives of the vulnerable; NGOs that provide VET for their clients; schools that provide VET; prisons that provide VET to young offenders; local authorities who are often responsible for co-ordinating and providing VET.

The indirect beneficiaries of the project were the most vulnerable young people in society. We used a broad age range from 16 to 25 in order to capture different definitions of ‘young people’ that are used across Europe. We had a broad understanding of ‘vulnerability’ that related to a wide range of often interdependent issues such as histories of violence and abuse, problematic drug and alcohol use, serious undiagnosed mental health issues, problematic family relationships, experience of offending and experiences of prison. This group included young people from different ethnic origins, such as Roma; and included young people who are migrants. Some of the most vulnerable young people were women who at particular risk of domestic violence, sexual abuse and sex work.

Expected impact
The project was designed with view to having an impact on the lives of the most vulnerable young people in our society. Successful apprenticeships enhance the lives, confidence, social and cultural capital of those young people and can help turn broken lives around, with attendant benefits for future generations. For the participants, this project raised awareness of the needs of these young people and provided signposts to appropriate support.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 382040,37 Eur

Project Coordinator

BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY & Country: UK

Project Partners

• DIE BERATER UNTERNEHMENSBERATUNGS GESELLSCHAFT MBH
• ADMINISTRATIA NATIONALA A PENITENCIARELOR
• CENTRUL PENTRU PROMOVAREA INVATARII PERMANENTE TIMISOARA ASOCIATIA
• LANGHE MONFERRATO E ROERO – SOCIETA’ CONSORTILE A RESPONSABILITA’ LIMITATA AGENZIA DI SVILUPPO DEL TERRITORIO
• ASSOCIATION OF VARNA ORGANIZATIONS FOR DRUG PREVENTION
• Avidity Training Limited
• Amical Ltd