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Description
The main objective of the project proposal is to create new jobs in the municipality of Momchilgrad, in order to test and promote innovative approaches to local employment development, provide more accessible information on job vacancies and encourage employers to adopt flexible working practices, organize events that bring together employers and job seekers and create job opportunities for disadvantaged groups. The need for employment is also determined by a higher than average unemployment rate in Momchilgrad municipality, as well as by the extremely high levels of so-called NEETS (neither in education nor employment) people aged 15 to 29. Specific objectives are:
- Activating the (long-term) inactive unemployed;
- Stimulating employment and increasing the competitiveness of local businesses, entrepreneurs and local authorities through the introduction of innovative work practices (evidence-based organizational practices that enable employers and employees at all levels to use and develop their skills, knowledge, experience and creativity to the greatest extent possible while enhancing performance, engagement and well-being);
- Improving the capacity of local employers to initiate innovative approaches in business development and employment, to encourage employers to adopt flexible work practices (part-time, telecommuting, total workweek calculation, job sharing, compensation of hours worked, work reported by results achieved, etc.);
Summary of project results
The main challenge during the implementation of the project was to identify, select and hire personnel in a very short period of time.
2 jobs were opened in two shifts (4 persons in 2 shifts) for a period of 1 year, an office and equipment were provided for the jobs. Newly appointed employees received special training in e-commerce. Under project specific actions 2, 1.5 jobs were opened (3 persons 2 shifts) for a period of 1 year and specialized software was provided to secure the jobs; these underwent special training in e-commerce management. Under project specific actions 5, 15 employers were trained on the following topics: 1) "Employers'' training to introduce flexible and innovative approaches to hiring employees"; 2) "Employer''s training on new approaches in business management with the aim of improving competitiveness and sustainable development"; 3) "Online pilot training for employers on e-commerce basics". It is hoped that this activity will enhance employers'' competitiveness.
Four unemployed people were activated by the project, which contributed to stimulating the employment and increasing the competitiveness of local enterprises by introducing innovative work practices. This improved the capacity of local employers to initiate innovative approaches in business development and employment, encouraged employers to adopt flexible work practices (part-time, telecommuting, total week work calculation, job sharing, compensating hours worked, work reported according to achieved results, etc.).