A New Dynamic: The Process of Inclusion
Country
France
Description
The need trains and helps people with special needs (e.g. reading and writing impairment) to increase their chances to find a job. A task group consisting of two training institutions, two CATs (Centre d'aide par le travail, i.e. work-based support center) and the Permanence du Jard worked for four years to produce a guidebook for a new vocational training methodology. This guidebook was also based on various vocational training experiments in various fields and institutions. A guidebook for a new vocational training methodology was produced. It can be reused for other vocational training leading to qualifications suitable for employment.
Aims
A broad majority of people cared for by the Permanence du Jard have low professional skills and are often impaired in learning processes, especially in terms of reading and writing. Nevertheless, the Permanence du Jard social workers firmly believe in vocational training as an instrumental factor in socio-professional integration. Therefore, each person should enjoy the same opportunities to acquire and update the necessary skills for taking an active part in the society. However, this issue shall not be addressed only through specialized answers, but rather through solutions found or built within the bounds of the common law.
Initial goals:
- Support people impaired in reading and writing and/or learning to acquire knowledge and qualification.
- Help training institutions to accommodate, train and qualify these people.
Areas
Training
Effectiveness
Diffusion of the guidebook at the European level through the European Inclusion programme. Some vocational trainings are still operational (for instance grapevine pruning).
Sustainability
New vocational training methodology is now operational.
Innovation
The people with special needs themselves were consulted during the production of this guidebook.
Transferability
The guidebook production and diffusion are funded by the Europe Inclusion programme.The vocational training experiments (organization, teaching and guidance) are funded by specialized institutions like the AGEFIPH (non-profit organization for the management of the state fund for professional integration of people with special needs). The Region Council has recently contributed to the funding.
Mainstreaming Potential
This tool was elaborated with the help of vocational training institutions ruled by the common law. Besides, this guidebook is now in use beyond the field of persons with special needs. It helped to change the way the vocational training professionals, among other people, consider their job and practice it.
Costs of the Project
2002-2005, FSE: 103 450 Euros
Public funding: 145 898 Euros
People involved in the Project (number of people and profession)
Professionals of vocational training and specialized care institutions.
20 Social workers of the Permanence du Jard.
75 disabled people.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Project
Fulfilling the requirements stated in the guidebook is not an easy task for many vocational training institutions.The need remains to have a state diploma delivered after successful completion of such trainings. For instance, this would require some monolithic French diplomas to be broken down into rough equivalents of O levels which could then be covered individually by these kinds of trainings.
Contact Person for the Project
Brigitte Pitois-Choquet
Permanence du Jard
51 Epernay
+33 3.26.58.07.07
pdj@wanadoo.fr