Project Description

Integra 2010

Two significant problems, which are apparent in North East Brandenburg, are unemployment as a result of a lack of formally recognized qualifications on the one hand and a lack of skilled employees on the other. It is the aim of this project "Integra 2010" to directly connect these factors in order to produce a win-win situation for both sides.

For companies, unmet demand for skilled workers leads to prospective well trained skilled workers only undertaking employment which corresponds to their qualifications and experience. This means an increasing concentration of tasks. Jobs, which are not part of the original remit, are either relinquished or must be given up. The emphasis is, therefore, on simple rather than highly skilled tasks e.g. photocopying duties, caretaking or handyman work.

These examples of so-called simple jobs offer poorly qualified people a good opportunity to take on employment which requires social security contributions as well as freeing up the skilled workers in the companies from the more mundane tasks.

This is where the "Integra 2010" project comes in. For the 36 month duration of our project (up until November 2010), our project team shall recruit and advise suitable companies. If so desired, it is also possible for us to undertake a workplace analysis in order to identify potential areas for the more basic jobs.

As these basic jobs are not necessarily unimportant, tailor-made continuing training should be provided once an initial assessment of competence which comprises basic knowledge and soft skills (e.g. communication skills, self-discipline, teamwork, courtesy etc.) and a health check of the low-skilled candidate has been undertaken. This could either be slotted in before employment commences or within the company itself. If the latter is the case, a working environment, which is conducive to learning, should be created. A named colleague, who has been appointed by the employer, should accompany the employee and act as a personal point of contact. Moreover, the project manager should support contact between the employer and employee. In this way, we aim to guarantee good initial training and secure opportunities for further development at work.

The development of a Certificate of Vocational Skills is a special feature of "Integra 2010". The certificate should involve the documentation and assessment of the participants' (acquired) skills. The advantage for the employee is that he is then armed with a document, which clearly outlines and provides evidence of his current level of knowledge and any progress made. This not only leads to a boost in motivation but it can also act as an important document when changing jobs. The advantage of such a document for the employer is that it is up-to-date and a specific record of skills, thereby superior to general certificates.

Another distinctive feature of the Innopunkt Initiative, of which Integra 2010 is a part, is the inclusion of transnational experience. The integration of experience and tried and tested models from other countries is an important and vital component of the project. With this in mind, there will be a Transnational Workshop in May of this year

Three educational institutions (DAA, BBW, ÜAZ), representing different fields, are active partners in "Integra 2010". You can find the appropriate contacts on the Partners/Contacts page.
The DAA Frankfurt (Oder) has overall control of the coordination of the project.