Fit for work in Europe

The main aim of the multilateral Erasmus+ KA2 project was the preparation of young students who find themselves in the position of job seekers after school or after their apprenticeship. In today´s times of difficult job markets, we were aiming at opening young people´s horizons towards European employment chances. "The project gave a continuous and nourishing effect regarding our students` potentials. They have learned how to be active in their job search and realized their talents and ideals to lead their future career. Students from around Europe know more about the European market needs and what job positions will be available for them. We consider it a necessity that students are more informed and well-qualified before they graduate from school." --> We think that we have managed to activate our students with regard to their job research and also in terms of getting to know their skills and future job opportunities. They learned about the European job market and application rules in different European countries as well as about individual labour law regulations. “There were five participating countries ( Bulgaria, Germany, France, Spain, Turkey) with all together 54 teachers and students taking part in the project activities. The project was addressed to senior students who intend to enter work life in the near future. The participating partners described their students as coming from a weaker social background or a migrational background and therefore as being dependent on external assistance in the field of job career questions.” --> The students turned out to be as described and showed themselves grateful to obtain assistance in future job questions. The Turkish group were precious project members who, unfortunately, were not able to receive the project guests due to political circumstances and terror risk. Our Bulgarian friends thankfully offered to be the host for a second time. “There were five project meetings which have promoted international relationships and contacts. On the meetings there were prolonged work sessions during which students presented their research with regard to a fixed working schedule. The schedule included project modules such as: general employment opportunities in European countries, European labour legislation, information on how to proceed in international job applications and qualifications and, finally, future European job perspectives. Communication among participants and result dissemination have been effected via an e-twinning platform, the social network "facebook", e-mail correspondence and via the project website. A long-term presentation of project results is realized on the school website.” --> The planned main activities have been carried through. That means that five project meetings have taken place, students worked on a fixed working schedule which could be realized the way it had been set up. Our main communication tools were facebook and e-mail which were used for a perfect exchange of information. Problems, such as the tensions due to terror, were clarified efficiently and the project partners showed their full understanding. “The extraordinary chance given by the project was the offer of an internship, in addition to the knowledge conveyed by the project. This exceeded regular exchange activities and provideed a specific intercultural experience to job-seeking youngsters.” --> One major project activity was the exchange of interns. The project partners sent two interns to one chosen partner country. The young people got an extraordinary chance to spend one week in a foreign business and gained an insight in job activities abroad. “The long-term benefit of the project consisted in the opportunity for each participant and even for external job seekers to profit from the findings by reverting to our project booklet and to our website. The booklet and also the website contains a summary of all research and experience which has been found and gained by our students.” --> All project partners have contributed to our booklet “Are you fit for work in Europe? – Guide for young people to apply for a job in Europe”. The booklet has been distributed to the partners and is also presented in the school`s secretarial office which is regularly visited by students and employers. The project has therefore provided interested students with the chance of avoiding youth unemployment after school, which has a long-term benefit for the local youth employment. Employers will be more open-minded towards European job applicants and an international network of job contacts will be established.