The Pomurje region is characterised by the highest level of registered unemployment in Slovenia therefore the development of fundamental skills of unemployed adults constitutes a significant challenge. This challenge is being addressed by the Slovenian Employment Service, Murska Sobota branch, the Pomurje Chamber of Commerce (PGZ) and the Murska Sobota Chamber of Crafts and Small Businesses, as well as the Papilot Institute, which works with the unemployed. Another important partner in the relevant process is also the Murska Sobota Adult Education Centre (LUMS), which on 30 May 2016 held the sixth Promoting Adult Skills (PAS) event on the relevant topic, entitled “The Challenges of Training of the Unemployed and How We Can Upgrade the Competencies of the Unemployed for the Needs of the Work Environment”. The practical part of the event was held in the form of joint counselling to the members of the Roma community, which was focused on finding of employment opportunities and discussion on learning-related problems.

 

How to tackle unemployment with approaches tailored to the needs of employers

At the professional part of the meeting LUMS first presented its cooperation with the companies Panvita and Lušt. Both examples prove that flexible partnership and emphasis on practical work within the training of the unemployed provide for success which can be measured by the number of permanent new jobs. Although these programmes, often referred to as ‘tailor-made programmes’, are expensive, LUMS believes that due to their efficiency the state should allocate special quotas within the Active Employment Policy for their implementation.

At the Slovenian Public Employment Service (PES) increased attention has been dedicated to the long-term unemployed. With this target group the service tries to find a suitable job only after the relevant person has been motivated and after it has been verified what knowledge and skills the person masters. The PES also agree there is a need for close cooperation with employers and they believe in the new programme, entitled I can, because I know how, in which the participants will participate in practical training with the employer following one month of theoretical training.

 

The Pomurje Chamber of Commerce is the coordinator of the Right Profession cross-border project with the aim to align the professional qualifications of job-seekers with the demand in the labour market on both Slovenian and Hungarian side of the border. For now the project has been dedicated to guide youth to pursue technical education programme due to the highest demand of such knowledge and skills in the labour market. However, the project could be transferred to adults and the long-term unemployed who would first have to brief themselves on new professions. “Discipline, attitude towards customers, professional qualifications and qualifications for better performing in the work environment are the most important skills” said the Pomurje Chamber of Commerce representative, and added that one can become independent, acquire a broader perspective and loyalty to the company only after the acquisition of these skills. Besides professional competencies, general competencies (e.g. social, emotional, entrepreneurial, etc.) are also important. Especially autonomy is a significant problem among youth, while the alignment of the values between the active population and youth is also essential. Especially innovation of the latter and the adaptability to the organisational culture of the active population seem an excellent combination which, however, calls for additional training on both sides.

 

The food industry constitutes a significant share of economy of the Pomurje region, however, there are still no suitable education programmes. Participants at the meeting concluded that priority should thereby be given to longer efficient non-formal programmes. Their content must be carefully selected and agreed among the employer and education providers, while their emphasis should be on practical training. The participants believed that the state should co-fund especially longer programmes which lead to direct employment, while there should also be a national overview of these programmes.

The Papilot Institute (Zavod Papilot) integrates lifelong career guidance in its work with the unemployed, while it also dedicates a great deal of attention to the certification of working skills. The identification of the non-formally acquired knowledge and skills is an integral component of activities at the LUMS. In the future both institutions could establish project cooperation. Even small companies recognise the need for the education and training of their employees, therefore, they sometimes decide to provide it on their own or through the Chamber of Crafts and Small Businesses. The participants agreed that the Inter-Company Education Centre (Medpodjetniški izobraževalni center (MIC)) Pomurje at the Secondary Vocational and Technical School in Murska Sobota could represent a common basis for the resolution of this problem, since it has excellent modern equipment for the support of practical training. We would only need to acquire it for the defined ventures, therefore it is a shame that their representatives did not attend the meeting. Perhaps they will attend the next one!

 

The problem of the long-term unemployed has also been addressed in Celje, while other topics were in the focus of the remaining events, as follows: the unemployed youth in Kranj; youth in general in Slovenska Bistrica; the Roma community and immigrants in Novo mesto; and the rural population in Radeče. This blog post will be followed by a post on the EAAL professional event in Žalec, dedicated to employees.

 

Zvonka Pangerc Pahernik, MSc (zvonka.pangerc@acs.si), Slovenian Institute for Adult Education

 Zvonka Pangerc Pahernik works at the Slovenian Institute for Adult Education in the field of promotional and information activities. She is the national coordinator for the implementation of the European Agenda on Adult Learning. She is interested in effective promotional approaches and promotion of cooperation and connecting of stakeholders in adult education.