|
The shared main
function of the unit is to make it possible for members to return to the
open labour market through Transitional Employment (TE), and to advance
the members’ opportunities for education.
Every month we
send 10-12 employers a parcel of information. Thus we make a lot of phone
contacts when we try to reach the managers of those firms for
negotiations. During the phone conversations we aim to discuss matters
related to TE in more detail. All the members of the unit who are
interested in finding TE placements may take part in the process. Some
members prefer to format the memos sent to the employers, some prefer to
search for jobs, to make phone calls, or to visit employers for
negotiations, and so on. Together we practice the content of the phone
calls to the employers. We also demonstrate the negotiations we have
visiting the employers.
The unit is in
charge for the ABC-group, the purpose of which is to mentor the members
who wish to volunteer for TE.
The Employment
and Education unit has large premises with many computers.
The clubhouse
library, where members may read the daily newspaper, is situated in our
unit.
The tasks of
the unit include: translations, making brochures for employers and
partners, cleaning, compiling statistics. We make excursions to visit
schools, the Employment Service Agency, and other clubhouses.
About 15
members and two staff members have taken part in the diverse and busy day
of the unit.
Employment
The finding of
TE placements and thus helping the members to rehabilitate themselves back
into working life is an important sector of clubhouse programs following
the Fountain House model. The Employment and Education Unit searches for
new placements and tries to create good contacts with employers. The work
of Clubhouse Näsinkulma’s TE placements is of a fixed duration (5 months)
and part-time (4h). TE jobs demand no special skills, so that as many
members as possible could have the opportunity to do them
During TE the
members retain their pensions and do not lose their benefits such as their
housing allowance, because it is rehabilitative work. The wages paid for
TE are those of an intern or at least the minimum wage.
The TE
positions belong to the clubhouse and the workers are chosen from among
members. The absence coverage system is important from the employer’s
point of view. Thanks to it, the work gets done even if the member is ill
or otherwise indisposed to work.
Orientation at
TE placements is important and it is done through the guidance of a staff
member. The staff learns the tasks first and teaches them to the member
who takes the job. The preparation for TE begins at the clubhouse in the
form of a Work-Ordered Day and social intercourse among the members. The
first TE period of Clubhouse Näsinkulma started on the 10th of
March in 1997 and by the end of the year 2006 there have been over 100
periods. During this time the members have earned 273 455 € (gross) in
wages!
Education
As education
within the clubhouse the unit organizes training in computer literacy and
English lessons. Both groups are led by members of the Employment and
Education Unit. The Clubhouse also arranges opportunities for education
outside the clubhouse. These have been for instance the “Computer Driver’s
Licence” and the “Hygiene Passport”. Both courses support the common goals
of the unit and the clubhouse for helping members to move on to working
life or professional education, for instance. The unit informs members of
various study-related matters, such as schools, study opportunities,
funding etc. In addition members make excursions to schools, and the
schools also hold presentations at the clubhouse. The unit also helps
members for instance in the filling of application forms.
The Employment
and Education Unit also has different education projects. These include
the MWS meetings (meetings for members in working life or studying) and
the “What to do after Transitional Employment” course. The MWS meetings
are held once a month for those members who are currently studying or
working. The participants have coffee together and share their experiences
of work and student life. The “What to do after TE” course is aimed for
those members who have been in TE at least once. The course consists of
five meetings. The topics of the meetings are surveying the starting point
for each partaker, making a CV, a work application exercise, practice for
job interview situations and using the Internet to find employment
>>
Back to programs
|
