Profiling Made Better: Enhancing NEETs’ Activation Pathways

 

 

Profiling Made Better: Building a Better Activation Pathway for NEETs

As the atWork4NEETs project wraps up its third semester, we are excited to share the latest developments from the consortium’s focus on “Profiling NEETs to Establish a More Consistent and Effective Activation Pathway”. 

Guided by our esteemed Romanian partner, the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, our mission has been to identify and highlight four distinct and effective practices related to profiling methods, tools, and data utilisation to improve pathways as well as provide the right opportunities for inactive youth.

Over the past semester, we have initiated several key activities, including consultations with key stakeholders involved on profiling methodsyouth engagement, and the Youth Guarantee Policy, with the aim of bolstering capacity building. We have also conducted surveys, hosted dynamic discussions, and convened an International Training Workshop in Bucharest on 29th-30th May 2024, all of which have been integral to our process.

Following a rigorous evaluation process involving thorough assessments, we are excited to unveil the top four best practices that have emerged.

  • Jobsplus’ Use of the Outcomes Star Tool for Effective Profiling – by Jobsplus Malta

The Outcomes Star, developed by Triangle Consulting Social Enterprise Limited, is an evidence-based tool that empowers individuals by focusing on their perspectives and priorities. It offers a comprehensive assessment of strengths and areas for improvement, enabling jobseekers to take an active role in their progress. By utilising this tool, Jobsplus Employment Advisors can work closely with jobseekers to develop personalised action plans and visually track their progress.

  • Youth in Transition (YIT) Vocational Maturity Self-Assessment Tool – by the Employment Service of Slovenia

Developed as part of an Erasmus+ KA2 project, the YIT self-evaluation tool for vocational maturity is available both online and in print. It assists guidance counsellors and teachers by enabling young people to assess their competencies and needs, track their progress, and support their development towards vocational education or employment.

  • Project Learning for Young Adults (PLYA) – by the Employment Service of Slovenia

The PLYA programme is designed specifically for NEETs aged 15 to 26 who have left or struggled with their education. Participants are classified into profiles based on factors such as risk of poverty, health issues, financial difficulties, or problematic life patterns. This profiling allows for tailored support, though individual treatment is always sensitive to each participant’s unique context.

  • StAP (Statistically Assisted Profiling) – by the Croatian Employment Service

Introduced to enhance activation and counselling in employment offices, StAP is an evidence-based tool that analyses data such as unemployment history, age, education, and occupation. It assesses the likelihood of employment within the next twelve months and the risk of long-term unemployment. The profiling results categorise individuals by their risk level, with outcomes presented both graphically and textually, providing a probability of employment and recommending targeted activities.

These practices, aside from being project outcomes, may also be considered for inclusion in the Policy Learning Platform, pending further verification and validation by the Joint Secretariat of Interreg Europe.

Additionally, Key Performance Indicators have been drafted for each of these good practices. The goal is to encourage interested entities to adopt these practices, thereby improving specific processes and enhancing their policy instruments.

To delve deeper into these practices and learn more about the topic of NEETs and the significance of profiling, we invite you to join the Interregional Thematic Seminar. This online event will be held on 10th September 2024 at 10:00 AM CET.

Click here to join the online Interregional Thematic Seminar.