The objective of this project was to gain new staff competences to better meet our clients needs. The project focuses especially on gaining new skills and methods in the education and training of clients with one of following backgrounds: ex-offenders, people in recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction and immigrants. This was achieved by completing one week long job shadowing in different European countries. Participants for the placements were chosen from different areas of operations to maximize the benefits of European mobility for the whole organisation. As a result of the project Silta-Valmennusyhdistys is better equipped to meet the needs of learners in the most vulnerable position in society. The competences gained during the project are taken into use in everyday client work, developing new practices and also in the planning of future international cooperation. Project results have been disseminated also within the wide national organisational network of Silta-Valmennusyhdistys ry.
Silta-Valmennusyhdistys ry is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 by NGOs in Tampere area, Finland. The association operates as a meeting place and center of expertise for learning, work and inclusion. The association provides education, employment, housing and rehabilitation services to the most vulnerable members of the society. The basic task is to help, support, guide and coach people to achieve a normal and good life. The organisation's activities are based on active collaboration with other third sector actors, educational institutions and public services to provide the most vulnerable people with the support they need in their lives. The Board of the Silta-Valmennusyhdistys ry has made internationalization one of the main strategic objectives. The goal of internationalization is to develop competence, work processes and quality. In line with the association's Education Plan, international co-operation will be developed by increasing the international skills of its staff through training and project activities (Erasmus+). In this project, the development goal was to increase the organization's expertise in building the learning paths for people in vulnerable position.