1. TRANSITION OF YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES FROM SCHOOL TO EMPLOYMENT IN SLOVENIA Tatjana Dolinšek, M.Sc., Racio Social Institute for Development of Social and Employment Programs Aleksandra Tabaj, M.Sc. and Črtomir Bitenc, University Rehabilitation Institute Republic of Slovenia,

2. Transition of young PwD from school to the labour market in Slovenia is not integrally and adequately organised. A support system should be introduced to monitor young PwD while they are still at school and prepare them for entering the labour market. BACKGROUND

3. Project is co-financed by European Social Fund and Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Familiy, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Partners: Racio Social, URI RS and Auris Kranj Associated partners: Education and Training Institutions Providers of Employment/Vocational Rehabilitation Employers' Associations of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia – GIZ Municipality Celje Transnationality: Austrian partners

4. To train 10 professional workers that will offer assistance and support for 50 young PwD. To ensure that the professional workers perform their work successfully, they must be properly trained. CONCRETE OBJECTIVE

5. Training programme Comprehensive training programmefor proffesional workers: 80 hours of theoretical work in 5 modules: 1.Legislation 2.Evaluation and assessment of competencies 3.Learning and planning for future 4.Partnership: schools - employers, good practices 5.Management of transition process 100 hours of practical work with target group.

6. In the training programe proffesional workers practically work with 59 youth PwD: Physically disabled, Hearing, blind and visually impaired, Learning disabilities, Individuals with mental health problems, behavioral or emotional disorders, autism and other special needs. TARGET GROUPS

7. Data analysis: target population in Slovenia was within 2005-2012: 900-1000 persons per year. Young PwD are not registered at Employment Service of Slovenia (e.g. 36 in data for December 2012). Case studies showed long term unemployment for youth with disabilities (no working age at age 30-35). Analysis – state of the art

8. STAGES AND TIME SCHEDULE 201120122013 Analysis of the state of the problem of transition and presentation of examples of good practices December 2010 – May 2011 Adjusting the results of the project “Trainsition”, training programme for transition trainers June 2011 – October 2011 1. 2.

9. Motivating institutions and individuals to enter the training programme for transition trainers September 2011 – December 2011 Preparation of the implementation of the training programme for transition trainers January 2011 – June 2011 3. STAGES AND TIME SCHEDULE 201120122013 4.

10. Transnationality - visiting the Caritas in Vienna December 2012 & March 2013 Practical implementation of the process of transition of young persons from school to the labour market September 2012 – June 2013 201120122013 5. 6. STAGES AND TIME SCHEDULE

11. Dissemination of results, expansion, mainstreaming June 2013 - December 2013 Evaluation – interim & final 7. Coordination & management STAGES AND TIME SCHEDULE 201120122013

12. What kind of vocational preparation is offered before leaving school? Treatment and counselling in elementary and secondary school from school counsellors (social worker, spec. ped., psych., etc.). Possibility of medical assessment – within the framework of vocational counselling and guidance in 7 th grade of elementary school). Inclusion into technical or practical training during elementary school education.

13. Prolongation of the pupil status (prolonged training). Vocational guidance (orientation) and counselling in the Vocational Rehabilitation Centre. Larger fund of hours in the last trimester (the adapted programme with lower education standard). Larger fund of hours (the expanded programme for “technical days”). Apprenticeship for secondary lower education-dual system. What kind of vocational preparation is offered before leaving school?

14. Opportunities for young disabled persons after leaving school 1. Direct Employment or 2. Registration of unemployment at the Employment Service ALMP programmes: Education (retraining, courses, National vocational qualification, etc.), On-the-job training, Public works, etc. Employment rehabilitation: enabled by the Employment and Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act, passed in 2004: employment rehabilitation services

15. -15 trained proffesional workers for transition -59 young PwD included in the programme -Better cooperation of proffesional and other institutions that deal with transition of young PwD -Prepared activities for continuation of the project -Suggestions of solutions for policy makers on national level RESULTS

16. National Committee The purpose of the National Committee is: To enable the discussion on the project on national level, To support the implementation of new approach on national level and To help national and other structures in achievement for sustainable development.

18. THANK YOU! This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.