NetStar - Middle Franconian network - an efficient occupational training partner

Research area

Training and educational planning

Short description

The majority of severely handicapped persons do their job training in non-workplace settings such as occupational training centers. Owing to the omnipresence of traditional structures and the overall decline in the numbers of available traineeships, severely handicapped young workers have been basically ignored by occupational training support programs. Hence, the project’s main goals are to (a) encourage both private and public sector stakeholders to take on handicapped trainees; and (b) make more occupational training options available to the handicapped. Toward this end, a regional network comprising secondary schools, businesses, employment agencies, industry associations, and institutions for the handicapped will be established and coordinated so as to allow for ongoing information sharing between the various stakeholders involved in the schooling to career transition.

Aims

Regional businesses of varying sizes will be encouraged to offer internships and traineeships to severely handicapped younger workers. Company job descriptions that are suitable for the severely handicapped will be selected in cooperation with secondary schools.
Close collaboration between parents and teachers will allow for early career planning in secondary schools.
In view of the numerous disadvantages that afflict the disabled, ensuring equal employment opportunity for disabled women will also be a major project focus. Toward this end, project activities will integrate an affirmative action policy for women in searching for internships and traineeships, as well as other areas.
In view of changes in the job market and qualifications profiles for skilled occupations, occupational training opportunities will be sought in the service sector, as well as in innovative areas of activity that provide a high level of job security.
Traineeships will be obtained for disabled young people by involving occupational training consultants from professional and industry associations in the project, and through initiatives that support occupational training.