Description
This project arises from the needs identified by the promoter regarding the empowerment of young people seeking integration in the labour market, and results from its experience with young migrants. The project will include personal development activities and, afterwards, the fostering of close relationships between young people and potential employers, culminating in the actual integration into the labour market. The project will include 45 young migrants in vulnerable situations, many of which are looking for their 1st job. Properly monitored, and each following an Individual Intervention Plan, these young vulnerable people, which are at risk of exclusion, will improve their "soft skills" in order to be better prepared for the labour market, undertake unpaid internships in companies, and will subsequently be integrated into the labour market.
Summary of project results
In 2013, 647 young migrants have asked support to JRS, of whom 354 were assisted by the NGO employment office. Due to the unemployment situation and consequent vulnerability, 182 young people sought social support. These young people come mainly from former Portuguese-speaking colonies (Sao Tome and Principe-184, Guinea-Bissau-144 and Cape Verde-112), 85% of them were unemployed, 40% finished secondary school, 31% completed primary school and most of them were not studying (only 4% were students). They were mostly looking for the 1st job and had no work experience. Given the migrant status of these individuals, there was a need to both integrate them into the labor market and regularize their legal situation in the country. The project has supported 85 young people providing them training on soft skills and conditions for a better social and cultural inclusion in the Portuguese society. Out of those young people, 46 have gained new skills to ensure their employability. The project has also provided assistance to 11 of them to get their situation legalised in Portugal and allow them to follow the training and eventually to get a job. The project comprised two main phases: a general training of 300 hours organized in 3 groups where the youngsters learned about Portuguese language, citizenship, time management, financial management, informatics and intercultural issues; the second phase was rather linked to the labour market and consisted of an internship of 300 hours in a partner large company group where the trainees get on-job experience about a real work situation. 32 of the 46 individuals trained under the project (attending the two phases) were employed within 6 months of project completion. The main gain for the NGO is related with project programming, monitoring, implementation and evaluation. The skills and experience provided by the project create now new conditions for its replication on other groups of immigrants or refugees.
Summary of bilateral results