Transcript Learning from YMCA`s experience of working with unemployed

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Works in both parts of the island
Member of NYCI & as a member of the European
Alliance of YMCAs also members of European
Youth Forum
We work with over 25,000 young people in 20
communities
We have developed a number of specialisms:
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Family youth work
Vocational training
Health promotion
Peace building
Outdoor Education
www.ymca-ireland.net
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started late1980's as a YMCA response to the
crisis of youth unemployment in both parts
of the island
based on research into the issues facing
early school leavers
funded under the European Social Fund to
1999 & since then it has been funded as part
of the Department of Education's Youthreach
Programme
primarily seen as a pre-vocational training
programme
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aimed at 17-25 year olds & preference is
given to those with low or no formal
educational qualifications
a significant number would present with
underlying issues of substance misuse,
justice or homelessness issues
currently a full time programme operating
from September to July
Leads to a Level 4 FETAC award in
Employment Skills
Components covered include:
Personal Development
Teamwork
Career Planning
Customer Service
Maths
ECDL
Work Experience
Understanding Interculturalism
Health
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emphasis on creating non-formal learning
opportunities
emphasis on experiential & reflective
learning
emphasis on "learning to learn"
emphasis on integrating ICT methodologies
into all aspects of the programme
accredited learning using FETAC and ECDL (
European computer driving License)
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approx 66% progress onto either full time
education or into employment
most leave with a sense of a career direction
soft-skills are measured using a variety of tools
including
o progression matrix where progress along a
number of set criteria is assessed
o a Solution Focused Richter based tool has been
developed where young people address the
"issues" in their lives & this is used to develop an
individual action plan
Introducing a Work Outcomes Star which will
simplify the recording as well as moving it online
which will also provide data on a national level
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need to recognise that some young people in
the NEET group often have complex issues
which may be preventing them access existing
training or employment issues
providing holistic support is essential in order
to address these underlying issues. Therefore
these supports must be provided in-house or
accessed in the community
many young people have had a negative
experience of formal learning & there is a need
to create new type of learning experiences
which allow for them to recognise & practice
their own unique " learning styles"
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consideration needs to be given to the form
of accreditation so that it provides speedy
positive reinforcement of achievement (eg
ECDL) and allows for progression (eg FETAC)
importance of having means of measuring
soft skills or outcomes for young people
importance of having effective support
structures in place for staff
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need to ensure that there is scope for a variety of
innovative responses to the problem of NEETs
which combine both soft skills as well as an
element of "hard" skills training
recognition needs to be given to the unique role
which community based youth organisations can
play in both identifying NEETs but also in
providing follow up support
a funding mechanism to allow organisations to
provide some level of follow-on support is vital to
ensure smooth transitioning to other mainstream
providers. As part of this closer links needed to be
developed between youth organisations providing
Youth Guarantee training & mainstream providers
to help provide more targeted supports for young
people making the transition
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recognition needs to be given to the importance of
holistic support for young people & not simply on
providing vocational training
avoid a payment by outcomes approach given the
nature of the issues facing this cohort ie transition
to further education or training more important
than transfer into a casual or temporary job
importance of ensuring adequate supports are in
place to deal with literacy & numeracy issues and
other Special Education Needs
Importance of links with employer partners who
understand the needs and are prepared to work
with a NEET's group