Training programmes for counsellors for implementing community integration of difficult-to-employ people (COM-IN)

Training programmes for counsellors for implementing community integration of difficult-to-employ people (COM-IN)

Networks as a key element in building an inclusive society

The research on networks and the development of the Network Common Vision was led by BiT Planota Foundation (SI) in collaboration with key partners: School of Advanced Social Studies (SI), Šentprima (SI), Employment Service of Slovenia (SI), IRECOOP Veneto (I), Veneto Lavoro (I), SOFORM SCARL (I), France Travail Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (F), and the association EDIAS (F).

Our research revealed that all participating have networks designed to connect organisations working in the field of social and work integration of difficult-to-employ (DTE) individuals. Typically, these networks specialize in addressing the challenges of specific target groups, such as people with disabilities, immigrants, and young people. Operation at local, national, sectoral, and international levels, these networks play a crucial role in promoting the social and economic integration of DTE individuals.

These networks also facilitate knowledge transfer among member organisations, organising workshops, conferences, and symposia to exchange best practices in social and work integration for targeted groups.

The detailed insights and findings of the research are compiled in the document titled “Networks in the COM-IN Partnership,” which reviews existing networks and their contributions to improving work integration for DTE individuals.

Moreover, the COM-IN project has significantly advanced cooperation in the area of social and work integration among project partners across different countries. Project partners were selected to cover specific aspects of DTE integration, such as training, work practices, and employment.

Workshops were conducted in each participating country, bringing together representatives from various organizations involved in social and work integration. Several of these organizations, including social work centres and rehabilitation agencies, have expressed interest in joining the networks we established among the partners.

As part of the COM-IN project we have successfully established:

• 3 territorial networks for the promotion of DTE employment and exchange of good practices.

• 1 international network for the promotion of DTE employment and exchange of good practices.

To further promote cooperation among these organisations, the partnership has developed a Common Vision and Strategy document for the development of local and regional networks focused on the working and social inclusion of DTE individuals.

In conclusion, the project has been instrumental in identifying and forming these networks, making a significant contribution to the development of a more inclusive society.

Appendix 1 – Networks in the COM-IN Partnership
Appendix 2 – Common Vision and Strategy

Certification programme proposal for “Counsellor for Difficult to Employ”

The partners of the COM-IN project have successfully finalised the development of Result 6, which includes the Certification programme proposal for “Counsellor for DTE”. This achievement marks the last project result of the COM-IN project and it marks an important achievement as it addresses the investigation of official certifications of the professional profile of “Counsellor for Difficult to Employ”.

The project addressed the need to standardize the informally acquired knowledge and competences of counsellors for DTE (Difficult-to-Employ) across participating countries. The project aimed to standardise education and training content and methods for the “counsellor for DTE and increase accessibility to standardized programs for counsellors with diverse backgrounds.

During project preparation, various certification options were explored, including national qualifications frameworks and systems managed by social chambers. The “counsellor for DTE” was introduced as a new professional profile aimed at improving employment outcomes for DTE persons. It was relevant to employment counsellors, NGOs, VET organizations, social enterprises.

Each participating country documented two certification systems, detailing required expertise, qualification conditions, connections to educational programs, competence testing methods, and essential content. This comprehensive approach aims to provide clear pathways for qualified individuals to attain certification.

The project’s standardized approach not only enhances professional standards but also influences national policies on professional qualifications. By promoting consistency in training and support, the initiative aims to empower counsellors and improve employment prospects for DTE individuals across Europe.

The development of the program was coordinated by project partner BiT Planota Foundation (SI) in collaboration with the following partners: School of Advanced Social Studies (SI), Šentprima (SI), Employment Service of Slovenia (SI), IRECOOP Veneto (I), Veneto Lavoro (I), SOFORM SCARL (I), France Travail Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (F), and the association EDIAS (F).

Programme for integration of prepared training programmes into the curriculum of VET and other organisations, operating in the area of working and social integration of DTE

The partners of the COM-IN project have successfully finalised the development of Result 5, which includes the “Programme for integration of prepared training programmes into the curriculum of VET and other organisations focusing on labour and social integration of DTE”. This achievement marks an important milestone as it addresses the possibilities of exploitation of the COM-IN project’s outcomes across various operational domains in the future.

Key outcomes of this result include instructions for integrating these programmes into the educational and training curricula of participating countries’ organisations that implement programmes for DTE individuals. Moreover, it offers guidelines for integrating these programmes into the curricula of other organisations engaged in the employment, social integration, and support of DTE individuals, such as employment offices, NGOs, and cooperatives.

Project result 5 emphasises sustainability beyond the project duration, ensuring adaptability across different countries’ legal frameworks and promoting knowledge sharing across Europe. Stakeholder engagement remains pivotal, leveraging networks to expand programme adoption and enhance social integration and employment opportunities for DTE individuals.

The COM-IN project continues to advance vocational education and social inclusion, setting a precedent for inclusive practices and sustainable employment solutions across Europe.

The development of the program was coordinated by project coordinator School of Applied Social Studies in Nova Gorica (SI) in collaboration with the following partners: BiT Planota Foundation (SI), Šentprima (SI), Employment Service of Slovenia (SI), IRECOOP Veneto (I), Veneto Lavoro (I), SOFORM SCARL (I), France Travail Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (F), and the association EDIAS (F).

Training programme for the community coordinator for difficult-to-employ (DTE) people

The partners of the COM-IN project have completed the development of the training programme for the “Community Coordinator for Difficult-to-Employ (DTE) People,” marking a significant milestone as the fourth project result of the COM-IN project.

The training programme for the community coordinator for DTE has been developed to equip community coordinators with the skills and knowledge to assist counsellors working with difficult-to-employ (DTE) individuals. The training program is based on a preliminary COM-IN Competence Model for community coordinators and provides a comprehensive framework for the training of coordinators in this challenging but essential field.

The training programme includes a wide array of educational and training materials. These resources have been meticulously verified and validated through a testing phase. The pilot training session, held in Padua from January 29th to 31st, 2024, was supplemented by additional local pilots across all project countries – Italy, Slovenia and France. These sessions garnered valuable feedback and insights, which have been integrated to enhance the programme’s effectiveness.

Targeted at community coordinators working in the field of employment of DTE people, the programme also caters to candidates with some coordination experience, those working in related fields, and aspiring coordinators. It emphasizes the importance of adapting the training structure to the local context and the specific needs of participants. The curriculum covers a range of topics essential for comprehensive preparation, with a strong focus on workshops, best practice exchanges, and participatory activities. Coordinators are encouraged to incorporate individual work and final projects to tailor the learning experience further.

The qualification obtained through this programme encompasses the knowledge and skills necessary for managing teams of counsellors and networks of stakeholders. It highlights successful methods and best practices from partner organizations, ensuring that coordinators are well-equipped to support DTE individuals effectively.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by DTE individuals in the labour market, providing community coordinators with the tools they need to make a tangible difference.

The development of the program was coordinated by project partner IRECOOP Veneto (I) in collaboration with the following partners: School of Applied Social Studies in Nova Gorica (SI), BiT Planota Foundation (SI), Šentprima (SI), Employment Service of Slovenia (SI), Veneto Lavoro (I), SOFORM SCARL (I), France Travail Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (F), and the association EDIAS (F).

The concluding event of Project COM-IN, which took place on April 18, 2024, at the premises of the European Parliament in Brussels, added value to the project’s activities. The European dimension of the event further highlighted the challenges posed by the integration into the workforce of target groups with lower employability.

The event, composed of two parts and hosted by the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee, engaged European authorities, stakeholders, and experts in the fields of employment, education, and social inclusion to raise awareness among decision-makers about the key issues addressed by COM-IN, promoting the sharing and long-term utilization of project results.

The central theme on the agenda was the opportunities offered by the European Union and the role of networks in planning concrete and sustainable measures for the inclusion of target groups with lower employability into the workforce. Speakers at the event were the representatives of the project included Jasmina Jakomin (FUDŠ) and Darijan Krpan (BIT Planota Foundation), Leonardo Pofferi (Director of European and International Affairs for Confcooperative Brussels), Alessia Di Gregorio (Deputy Head of the Proximity, Social Economy & Creative Industries Unit, DG GROW, European Commission), Giuseppe Guerini (European Economic and Social Committee / President of CECOP), Patrizia Bussi (Director of ENSIE), Alessia Sebillo (Director of Diesis), Paula De Diego (Policy Lead and Project Officer at Social Economy Europe), and Lorenzo Novaro (Project Coordinator at Cooperatives Europe).

We are delighted to announce the upcoming event, which we believe will be of great interest to you. The project partnership “COM IN – Training programmes for counsellors for implementing community integration of difficult-to-employ people,” just before the conclusion of the two-and-a-half-year project, is organizing an event in Brussels to discuss the future perspectives in the field of social and labor inclusion at the European level and to disseminate the project’s results.

The event will take place on April 18, 2024, in Brussels, with online participation also available.

More information about the event, program, and registration options can be found in the attached invitation.

We look forward to your participation!

At the beginning of April, within the framework of the COM IN project, we conducted training for coordinators of community networks for the integration of difficult-to-employ people.

The Slovenian partnership of the COM-IN project conducted training for coordinators of community networks for the integration of difficult-to-employ people at the beginning of April. With this, we tested the training program developed as part of project result 4. The training program is based on a competency model and focuses on strengthening the competencies of coordinators of community networks for the integration of hard-to-employ individuals.

33 participants attended the training, providing feedback on the conducted training and expressing a positive opinion on the usefulness of the program for the development of competencies for coordinators of community networks for the integration of hard-to-employ individuals.

The training consisted of 4 parts:

Each Slovenian partner presented one topic: Talents – employment and evaluation (Employment Service of Slovenia), Strategy and planning of a shared vision (BIT Planota), Communication and nonviolent communication (SASS), and Šentprima presented Diversity management.

The COM-IN project partnership continues actively implementing activities within the project. From January 29 to 31, 2024, the third partnership meeting and a three-day test execution of the Learning, Training and Teaching activity of the training program for the “Community coordinator for difficult-to-employ (DTE) people” took place. The meeting was held in Padua, organized by the Italian project partner IRECOOP VENETO.

During the partners’ meeting, the partnership focused reviewing the work done, but most importantly special attention was given to activities still in progress, focusing on three ongoing project results:

• Result 4 – Training program for coordinators in communities for the less employable.
• Result 5 – Integration plan of training programs into training schemes.
• Result 6 – Certification of proposed training programs in three project countries.

Particular emphasis was placed on pilot training for coordinators and end-users at the national level, as well as the organization of the final event scheduled for April in Brussels. Technical aspects, such as project management, evaluation, and project communication, were also thoroughly discussed.

The meeting continued with an intensive three-day training, where Learning, Training and Teaching activity of the training program for the “Community coordinator for difficult-to-employ (DTE) people” was carried out. This step represents a significant milestone in the COM-IN project, as we have successfully prepared and pilot-implemented the training program for the coordinator of community networks based on a previously developed competency model (Result 3).

Thirty participants from partner and external organizations attended the international-level pilot training, making it extremely successful. During training participants identified several interesting findings, which are common to all participating countries. Partners eagerly anticipate the next steps, particularly the implementation of training sessions in all three countries involved in the project – Slovenia, Italy, and France – in the coming months.

Competence model for the community coordinator for difficult-to-employ (DTE) people

The partners of the COM-IN project have successfully completed the development of the competence model for the “Community Coordinator for Difficult-to-Employ (DTE) People,” marking a significant milestone as the third project result.

In the collaborative efforts of partners from Slovenia, Italy, and France within the COM-IN project, our focus has been on empowering “Community Coordinators” (CC) operating in diverse organizations dedicated to the working and social integration of DTE individuals. These coordinators, while not directly engaging with DTEs, play a pivotal role in networking, collaborating with counsellors, and liaising with partners involved in DTE-related initiatives. The partnership observed that these coordinators have a lack of competences for more efficient working integration of DTE in the cases, where the cooperation of several organizations is essential.

To find out which competencies CC may lack; we conducted a total of four focus groups—one each in Slovenia and France and two in Italy. The participants, middle managers from various organizations including employment centres, youth support programs, social integration programme, vocational and training organization, NGOs, cooperatives, and other organizations exhibited a keen interest in the CC competence model. They emphasized the necessity for enhanced cooperation, particularly in complex scenarios where recruiting involves multiple organizations such as employment offices, vocational training organizations, and cooperatives.

During the focus groups many topics were discussed – key competences of “CC”, areas for further development and challenges identified. Like the competence model for “DTE Consultant”, the competence model for “CC” is also very complex. The model acknowledges various competences as CC, from forming and maintain diverse counsellors’ teams, to establishing networks needed to implement projects or service delivery to help counsellors in supporting DTE.

The identified competencies for CCs span managerial skills, technical expertise, soft skills, and know-being competences. Our goal was to describe each competence by illustrating situations in which it is demonstrated. Besides being able to inspire and build a group common vision, CC has to be familiar with territorial services offer for jobseekers, employers, partners and employees; he/she has to demonstrate also reliability, persistence, interest for cooperation. In the competence model each of competence is briefly described, indicating situations in which is demonstrated.

This comprehensive competence model serves as basis for the development of the “Training programme for “Community coordinator”, the fourth project result COM-IN project. When preparing the training programme, which will be tested in February 2024, we will employ effective training methods and learning instruments aimed at facilitating the acquisition of the competencies outlined in the model.

The content of the news is accessible in this document

In the framework of the COM IN project, we organised a workshop to review the draft competency model, which includes a set and description of the competences that a “community coordinator” for the hard-to-employ should have to be able to successfully carry out the work and follow-up of counsellors in the field.

The workshop brought together experts who work in managerial positions and usually coordinate counsellors working in the field with hard-to-employ people. Together we were very successful in reviewing and revising the collected competences that a “community coordinator” should have to guide and mentor TVET counsellors.

The workshop was attended by 7 participants, who sincerely made suggestions on the presented draft competency model, made suggestions for improvements, listed additional competencies that they only consider they need in their work. All comments will be considered in the preparation of the final competency model for “Community Coordinator”, which will be available by the end of 2023.

The project partners of the COM-IN project have reached a new milestone. We have developed a training program for counsellors working with individuals difficult to employ (DTE)). The program is based on a preliminary competency model for DTE counsellors, which was developed at the end of 2022.

The COM-IN project partners participated in a pilot implementation of the educational program that took place in Lyon in January 2023. The program is intended for anyone involved in the education of DTE counsellors or anyone interested in the field of counselling for individuals with lower employability, whether experienced or at the beginning of their career. The document presents a set of educational objectives and topics that are important for providing comprehensive guidance to DTE and helping them on their career path. It is based on successful adult education methods and emphasizes the importance of sharing best practices.

The development of the program was coordinated by Šentprima in collaboration with the following partners: School of Applied Social Studies in Nova Gorica (SI), BiT Planota Foundation (SI), Employment Service of Slovenia (SI), IRECOOP Veneto (I), Veneto Lavoro (I), SOFORM SCARL (I), Pôle emploi Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (F), and the association EDIAS (F).

On 19 April 2023, the Slovenian COM-IN partnership conducted a training for counsellors working with difficult-to-employ people. The training programme is based on a competency model and focuses on strengthening the competences of counsellors working with the most vulnerable on the labour market. The training was attended by 23 counsellors, who commented on the training and expressed their positive opinion on the usefulness of the programme for the development of the competences of counsellors for the most vulnerable.

The training consisted of 4 parts:

• Preparing the DTE for a job interview (Valentina Fegic Birsa, Julija Milović)
• How to find opportunities and possibilities for employing PRM (Darijan Krpan, MSc)
• Non-violent Communication (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tjaša Stepišnik Perdih)
• Equality, diversity, and inclusion by understanding and addressing unconscious bias (Barbara Zupančič)

The training was attended by 23 counsellors, who commented on the training and expressed their positive opinion on the usefulness of the programme for the development of counsellors’ competences for the hard-to-employ.

Competence model for the counsellor for difficult-to-employ people

Project partners of the COM-IN project have finished the first project result named “Competence model for the counsellor for difficult-to-employ people (DTE)” (R1).

In order to prepare the competence model we implemented 5 focus groups in project regions (Slovenia, Italy and France). Focus group participants were counsellors from different organizations, which invest most of their working time to help people with various types of impairments and difficult-to employ people. Counsellors demonstrated great interest in cooperation, as such widely used competence model does not exist yet.

Counsellors’ collaboration and enthusiasm provided us with a basis for further preparation of the model. All of the partners participated with great interest at developing the model.

The model is complex, as it takes into account different competences that need counsellors for working with difficult to employ persons: technical competences, know-how competences and know-being competences. Each competence is also described with specific situations, in which it is manifested.

The model follows the real working process, since the counsellor working with DTE must be an expert, have to know specific tools and techniques and be motivated to work with disadvantaged groups.

The competence model represents the groundwork for preparation of the second project result “Training programme for counsellor for difficult-to-employ people” (R2) which is being prepared by the partnership and will be tested in January 2023. The training programme will aim to give (young) professionals the skills needed to reach the listed competences identified and listed in the “Competence model for the counsellor for difficult-to-employ people (DTE)”.

V juniju je v mestu Pordenone v Italiji potekal prvi mednarodni partnerski sestanek projekta COM-IN. Partnerji, ki skupaj delamo že od januarja, smo se prvič srečali v živo in zelo uspešno nadaljevali z delom na projektu in načrtovali bodoče aktivnosti. Formalno srečanje smo povezali še z obiskom kooperative FUTURA, ki zaposluje težje zaposljive osebe ter cooperative SOFORM, ki je med drugim projektni partner.

V okviru projekta COM IN smo organizirali dve delavnici, ki sta potekali v Novi Gorici in Ljubljani. Cilj projekta je prispevati k opolnomočenju svetovalcev v zavodih za zaposlovanje, poklicnih in izobraževalnih organizacijah, nevladnih organizacijah in lokalnih skupnostih za boljšo uporabo metod in pristopov za delovno integracijo težje zaposljivih oseb. Namen delavnic je bil pregled kompetenčnega modela, ki predstavlja pregled kompetenc, ki bi jih naj svetovalec, ki dela s težje zaposljivimi obvladal za uspešno izvajanje dela. Na delavnici smo zbrali strokovnjake, ki delajo s težje zaposljivimi osebami in smo skupaj zelo uspešno pregledali in prevetrili zbrane kompetence. Delavnic se je udeležilo skupno 18 udeležencev, ki so predstavljali zelo raznolike organizacije in vnesli raznolike poglede. Kompetenčni model, ki smo ga v preteklih mesecih sestavili projektni partnerji je dobil predloge za izboljšave, a že sam osnutek je bil s strani udeležencev zelo dobro sprejet. Partnerji projekta COM-IN nadaljujemo z delom, da bo končni kompetenčni model na voljo že do konca poletja.

Projektni partnerji v projektu COM-IN so se srečali na prvi delavnici za pripravo Kompetenčnega modela za svetovalca za težje zaposljive osebe (TZO). Dogovorili smo se o nadaljnjih korakih za izvedbo te aktivnosti.
Nekateri partnerji so opozorili na zahtevnost dela svetovalcev za TZO, saj gre za delo z ljudmi, ki se soočajo z različnimi vrstami oviranosti in potrebujejo raznovrstne pomoči za njihovo premagovanje.

Projektni partnerji, ki sodelujejo v projektu COM-IN, so med 25. do 26. januarjem 2022 izvedli 1. srečanje upravnega odbora in ekipe za vodenje projekta.
Na srečanju so se predstavili partnerji projekta, predstavljeni so bili cilji, aktivnosti in ključni rezultati ter medsebojne zaveze partnerstva za uspešno izvedbo projekta.
Partnerji so izpostavili povezanost projekta poslanstvom sodelujočih organizacij ter izrazili navdušenje za uspešno izvedbo projekta. Podali so konkretne predloge za izvedbo aktivnosti.