Athens Institute for Education and Research Social Sciences Research Division Research Unit of Sociology 8 th Annual International Conference on Sociology 5-8 May 2014, Athens, Greece TRANSITION OF YOUTH WITH DISABILITY FROM EDUCATION TO LABOUR MARKET Tatjana Dolinek, M.Sc., Racio Social, Institute for Development of Social and Employment Programs Aleksandra Tabaj, Ph.D. and rtomir Bitenc, University Rehabilitation Institute, Republic of Slovenia GENERAL INFO European Social Fund & Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities project : TRANSITION OF YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES FROM SCHOOL TO LABOUR MARKET Partners: Racio Social, University Rehabilitation Institute Republic of Slovenia and Auris Kranj Associated partners: Education and Training Institutions, Providers of Employment/Vocational Rehabilitation Employers' Associations of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia and Municipality Celje European Commission Youth unemployment during economic crises increased in all parts of the world, with the impact of prolonging duration of unemployment Youth unemployment rate is more than twice as high as the adult one 23.3 % against 9.3 % in the fourth quarter of In 2011, 12.9 % of young people were neither in employment nor in education or training (NEETs). There are significant skills mismatches on Europe's labour market. Disability Strategy particular attention to young people with disabilities in their transition from education to employment International researches showed ILO (2011) substantial increase of youth unemployment due to economic crises especially in developed countries youth are more vulnerable Youth are hiding in the education system What young PwD do one year after education is extremely important: it decides on good/bad transition Young PwD are hiding their disability stigma, fear Youth with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged youth Not enough information, contacts, accessibility Transition of young PwD from school to the labour market in Slovenia is not integrally and adequately organised. A support system should be introduced to monitor young PwD while they are still at school and prepare them for entering the labour market. The original idea came from Austrian international project Leonardo da Vinci Trainsition. During the project we also cooperated with Austrian partners (study visits on-site). BACKGROUND To train 10 professional workers that will offer assistance and support for 50 young PwD. To ensure that the professional workers perform their work successfully, they must be properly trained. CONCRETE OBJECTIVE Training program Comprehensive training program for professional workers: - 80 hours of theoretical work in 5 modules: 1.Legislation 2.Evaluation and assessment of competencies 3.Learning and planning for future 4.Partnership: schools - employers, good practices 5.Management of transition process hours of practical work with target group. In the training program professional workers practically worked with 62 young PwD: Physically disabled, Hearing, blind and visually impaired, Learning disabilities, Individuals with mental health problems, behavioral or emotional disorders, autism and other special needs. TARGET GROUPS Research Methods Action research theory as a framework Triangulation: quantitative and qualitative data Data analysis: target population in Slovenia was within : persons per year. Young PwD are not registered at Employment Service of Slovenia (e.g. 36 in data for December 2012). Case studies showed long term unemployment for youth with disabilities (no working age at age 30-35). Analysis state of the art Opportunities for young persons with disabilities after leaving school 1. Employment: open labour market, supported employment, companies for employing PwD, employment centers, social economy 2. Employment Service of Slovenia programs: On-the-job training, Public works, LL Learning, Education (retraining, courses, National vocational qualification), etc. 3. Employment rehabilitation services for PwD for entering labour market 4. Social inclusion programs for those not able to be employed 15 trained professional workers for transition 62 young PwD included in the project, of which: - 10 were employed, - 11 included in employment rehabilitation, - 26 included in secondary level and 11 on tertiary level of education, - 3 were registered as unemployed, seeking for further solutions, - 1 was not able to be employed. Better cooperation of professional and other institutions that deal with transition of young PwD Prepared activities for continuation of the project RESULTS More info:THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!