By implementing the project, we aimed to achieve several key objectives: 1) Empowerment of Counsellors in employment offices, vocational and training organizations, NGOs and local communities by enhancing their ability to effectively use methods and approaches for integrating difficult-to-employ (DTE) individuals into the workforce.2) Exchange of Best Practices 2) Exchange of Best Practices: with the aim to promote exchange of experiences and good practises among counsellors, from different organizations in the area of working and social integration of DTE. 3) To empower a “community coordinator” to oversee and coordinate community activities focused on the social and employment integration of DTE. 4) Improved Collaboration: to improve collaboration and networking among various organizations in the working and social integration of DTE. 5) Integration into Curriculum: We aimed to prepare a programme for the integration of prepared training programs and methodology into the curriculum of VET and other organizations operating in working and social integration of DTE. 6) Certification/Standardization: we sought to prepare methodologies for the identification and certification of informally acquired knowledge for new professionals.
The COM-IN project, inspired by the EMPUBLIC project (co-financed by Erasmus+), identified significant competence gaps among counsellors in employment offices, vocational training organizations, NGOs, and municipalities, especially in integrating difficult-to-employ people (DTE). COM-IN pinpointed the need for improved knowledge of effective counselling methods for DTE individuals and the lack of sufficient strategies to support employers in integrating these individuals into the workforce. Also, weak collaboration and communication between public and private organizations, leading to a fragmented support system was identified. To tackle this, COM-IN focuses on improving knowledge exchange, establishing a coordinator role to streamline activities, and advocating for officially certified DTE counselling programs. COM-IN addressed the needs of counsellors, decision-makers, and DTE by providing them with the necessary tools, knowledge, and frameworks to effectively address the challenges of integrating DTE into the workforce. Through targeted activities and improved collaboration, we aimed to create a more cohesive and supportive environment for DTE employment.