Social cohesion through investments in Human resources, 2007CB16IPO007 – 2011 – 2 – 12
Period of implementation: 23.07.2012 – 22.07.2013
Funded by: Bulgaria-FYROM IPA Cross-border Programme, CCI Number: 2007CB16IPO007
The project partners are: Alliance for regional and civil initiatives (ARCI) – Blagoevgrad branch and Foundation for small and medium enterprises development – Kumanovo, FYROM
Overall objective:
“Fostering the economic potential and the social cohesion of the cross-border region Blagoevgrad– Kumanovo”
Specific objectives:
- Improving the adaptability and mobility of the workforce;
- Human resources development through vocational training and retraining in the Manufacturing sector;
- Active involvement of vulnerable groups in the employment process;
- Establishment of a cross-border cooperation network, promoting initiatives for education and employment.
Тhe project main stakeholders are: inactive people (those, who are not classified as employed or unemployed); discouraged persons (those who are willing and able to work, and would gladly accept work, but because they have had no success finding a job they have given up actively seeking employment); representatives of the social vulnerable groups, incl. people with disabilities, employed in the Manufacturing sector, SMEs, labour mediators
The project started with identification of discouraged and inactive people from Blagoevgrad district, Bulgaria and Kumanovo district, FYROM, as we will determine their needs and requirements. Upon that we will invite representatives from these stakeholder groups to take part in motivational trainings. Training should activate the long-term unemployed in search of a new career and employment opportunities that will be a step for active social inclusion.
Within the project activities will be elaborated “Needs analysis in the Manufacturing sector and Good practices in human resources management” Based on data analysis will form groups and conduct trainings for the acquisition of new and/or improvement of professional knowledge and skills in at least two professional fields. Successful graduates will receive a Certificate for vocational qualification.
Project activities also include seminars in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria and Kumanovo, FYROM, and a Cross-border Forum and Job Fair in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria aiming to establish a network of cooperation between educational institutions, employment agencies, SMEs, employers and professional organizations.
Achieved results:
Methodology for identification of discouraged and inactive people in:
Identified at least 100 inactive and discouraged people and conducting of 2 motivational trainings;
Elaborated “Needs analysis in the Manufacturing sector and Good practices in human resources management“;
Conducted 2 seminars – 1 in Kumanovo, FYROM and 1 in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria;
Conducted 4 vocational trainings in the cross-borderregionBlagoevgrad – Kumanovo
Conducted Cross-border Forum and Job Fair in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria