District Labour Office in Tarnów „ Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” – project implemented within the framework of Lifelong Learning Programme – Summary of achievements LABOUR OFFICE

1.Project characteristics: objectives, Polish-German partnership within the project, activities executed in Poland by District Labour Office in Tarnów – the sending institution, tasks implemented in Germany by the Association Supporting Employment and Professional Qualifications Bad Freienwalde (VFBQ)– the receiving institucion and results achieved within the project. 2.Information concerning the summarizing conference organized by District Labour Office in Tarnów on October 23rd Our participants about the project. Presentation plan

The project was implemented: Within the framework of Leonardo Da Vinci Programme, being the part of Lifelong Learning Programme – European Union educational programme mobility projects as the main actions within Leonardo Da Vinci Programme in accordance with the main assumption of mobility projects, which is: combining theory with practice, and, what follows, strengthening the bond between the world of education and the world of work „Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Project characteristics

Providing participants of the project with : professional qualifications knowledge social competencies professional experience, while attending language laboratory, cultural and pedagogical trainings and while pursuing 9 weeks- long internships in Germany „ Making a virtue of a necessity” The main objective „Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Project characteristics

Target group 30 unemployed having basic knowledge of German language in particular : persons up to 25 years of age, lacking professional experience, qualifications, job-seeking techniques, and having the status of the long –time unemployed Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Project characteristics

„Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Project characteristics

In order to ensure successful realization of the project District Labour Office in Tarnów (Poland) established the partnership with The Association Supporting Employment and Professional Qualifications Bad Freienwalde e.V (Germany) „Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Project characteristics

District Labour Office in Tarnów was established in 1990 and has been providing services ever since. The scope of its activity include:  employment promotion,  mitigation of the effects of unemployment,  vocational activation. District Labour Office shall operate in the region inhabited by approximately 311,8 thousand of people, including approximately 113,2 thousand living in the town itself and 198, 6 thousand living in the Tarnów county, with more than 16 thousand being the clients of The Labour Office (Data valid on October 2013). „Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Project characteristics

The Association Supporting Employment and Professional Qualifications Bad Freienwalde e.V (VFBQ) was established in 1992 in Bad Freienwalde, East Brandenburg, Germany. It aims at reducing unemployment among the youth and the adults by improving their professional and social skills. Since 2007 The Association has been closely supporting the cooperation between Poland and Germany especially on the fields of vocational activation, broadening professional qualifications and promoting cultural exchange ( approximately 350 participants per year, about 120 being from Poland). „ Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Project characteristics

The partnership mainly concerned developing issues related to preparation and execution of the project, in particular with regard to:  project’s target group,  Internship’s objectives,  Internship’s framework schedule,  cultural programme to be completed in Partner’s country (Germany) „ Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Project characteristics

1.Recruitment process – carried out as follows:  accepting submissions from candidates satisfying participation criteria,  verification and evaluation of candidates in respect of their potential and capacities,  carrying out language test, examining candidates’ knowledge of German,  determining the final list of participants and reserves. All actions above mentioned were taken under provisions of the principle of equal opportunities, including the principle of gender equality, as manifested in equal access to information and recruitment process as well as to participation in the project. Activities executed in Poland- District Labour Office in Tarnów as the sending institution

2. Trainings:  language and cultural: conducted in the form of intensive 60 hour-long German language course including elements of cultural heritage of Germany. During the course Interns got acquainted with professional vocabulary, revised, so called, „everyday vocabulary” as well as gained knowledge facilitating intercultural communication and got to know Germany with its economic situation and modern history.  pedagogical: completed during 20 hour-long programme, that aimed at developing: interpersonal skills, willingness to cooperate and commitment to given tasks, also developing creativity, confidence in achieving success on labour market, coping with stress techniques, assertive behaviour as well as diagnosing ones potential and defining individual factors essential on labour market while looking for a dream job. Activities executed in Poland- District Labour Office in Tarnów as the sending institution

3.Organisation of:  9-week long internships developed in following careers : confectioner, electrician, florist, waiter, cook, baker, senior care assistant, car mechanic, sanitary systems fitter and general construction worker, in 2 groups, 15 people each, pursued in two terms: I st GROUP: – II nd GROUP : –  accommodation and full board during Internships,  certification of achievements. 4.Participants of the project were also provided with accident insurance, medical expenses insurance and civil liability insurance, on their way to Germany and back from Germany and during their residence there. 5. Participants were secured as they were heading Germany and also on their way back, after pursued internship. 6. Financial resources to be used for pocket money for Interns were provided during the whole period of pursuing internships. Activities executed in Poland- District Labour Office in Tarnów as the sending institution

3.Providing accommodation and full board at GIBBZ (Gemeinnütziges – Informations - Bildung und Begegnung Zentrum) – Wasserstraße Bad Freienwalde. The building is fitted with:  double rooms, triple rooms, four-person rooms, all with private bathrooms  seminar rooms  dining room Activities executed in Germany- The Association VFBQ as the receiving institution

4. Interns working as:  Electricians  General construction workers Mr Dawid Przybyło and Mr Mateusz Pajor both trained as general construction workers in N&R Bau GmbH Company. Mr Wiktor Szwarga and Mr Bartłomiej Stach trained as electricians in Lajos Szabo Elektroinstallation Company. Activities executed in Germany- The Association VFBQ as the receiving institution

 Senior care assistant  Car mechanic  Sanitary systems fitter  Florist  Cook  Baker  Waiter  Confectioner Monika Bielecka trained as florist in Arnold´s Blumen & Präsente Company. Mrs Stanisława Trela enjoying her internship as senior care assistant in Stephanus- Seniorenzentrum. Activities executed in Germany- The Association VFBQ as the receiving institution

5. Continuation of the German language course (20 hours) with the emphasis on professional vocabulary. 6. Realization of „Social competencies training” aimed at:  strengthening social competencies,  developing interpersonal communication skills and problem solving techniques within a group,  strengthening ones personality and self-acceptance by noticing positive aspects of oneself. 7. Visiting Bad Freienwalde Labour Office (including the possibility of using Job-Seekers Information Point) and meeting with Eures agent - Miss Gebhardt-Hiller. Activities executed in Germany- The Association VFBQ as the receiving institution

8. Cultural programme: Participants visited places closely related to German history, culture and arts, as well as got acquainted with local customs, especially by attending trips to:  Altranft Open -Air Museum – getting to know German Easter customs  Potsdam- history and architecture, Cecilienhof, Sanssouci Palace Gardens, New Castle, Dutch District and Aleksandrow,  Berlin: East Seide Gallery, Alexanderplatz, Hedwigskirche, NeueWache, Museuminsel, Pergamon Museum, Museum of Technology Berlin Catedral- history and architecture and attending sports events, e.g:  Canoeing - integration with German sports group – Grün-Weiß. Berlin Activities executed in Germany- The Association VFBQ as the receiving institution

Trip to Potsdam Visiting Wollenberg fallout bunker Activities executed in Germany- The Association VFBQ as the receiving institution

Canoeing Activities executed in Germany- The Association VFBQ as the receiving institution

Four Towers Diploma Activities executed in Germany- The Association VFBQ as the receiving institution

 Completion of the German language course including elements of German cultural heritage, held in Poland, and confirming acquired knowledge by receiving The Individual Certificate,  Completion of pedagogical training held in Poland,  Completion of 9 week-long internships in Germany in professions chosen by Participants, and receiving the confirming Certificate  Receiving „The Final Evaluation of Internship in Germany”  Completion of German language course, while being trained in Germany and receiving the confirming Certificate  Completion of „Social Competencies Training” held in Germany,  Giving „Participant Final Report”,  Obtaining the Europass-Mobility Document „ Making a virtue of a necessity”- internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Results Hard results (achieved by 100% of Participants):

 Pursuing employment by 43% of Participants including:  27% of Participants in Germany,  3% of Participants in Netherlands and England,  10 % of Participants in Poland What is more:  3% of Participants pursued another Internship in Poland * Data valid on „ Making a virtue of a necessity”- internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Results Hard results - continuation

Soft results:  improving the knowledge of German language– 100% of Participants,  broadening the knowledge concerning German culture- 90% of Participants  strengthening ones belief in changing professional situation and social status for better- 87% of Participants,  increase in mobility and flexibility– 77% of Participants,  gaining/increasing professional qualifications and professional experience and growth of self-confidence– 77%of Participants,  clarity of professional qualifications and professional experience around Europe due to holding Europass-Mobility Document- 73% of Participants,  broadening ones knowledge referring to professional ethics and practices as applied in European companies- 73%of Participants,  increase in professional attractiveness on Polish and European labour markets- 70%of Participants,  positive opinion about the project– 100% of Participants. „ Making a virtue of a necessity”- internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Results

The conference summarizing achievements of the project „Making a virtue of a necessity” was held, with due ceremony, in Poviat Starosty in Tarnów on October 23rd The ceremony was full of distinguished guests with the Vice-Marshal of Lesser Poland Voivodeship – Mr Roman Ciepiela and Member of the Board of Tarnów, Vice-Starost – Mr Mirosław Banach on the head. Among other guests there were: members of Tarnów Voivodeship Employment Council, representatives of partner Association Supporting Employment and Professional Qualifications from Bad Freienwalde, Participants of the project and representatives of educational institutions dealing with problematic aspects of labour market. Local radio stations and newspapers were present as well. „ Making a virtue of a necessity- internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Conference summarizing achievements of the project Vice-Marshal of Lesser Poland Voivodeship – Mr Roman Ciepiela, started the conference with the short speech. Description of the project, actions executed in Poland and final results were presented by the Head of WIRP PUP Dept. - Mrs Angelika Bilska.

Next the floor was taken by Mrs Wioletta Beyer – representative of The Association Supporting the Employment and Professional Qualifications Bad Freienwalde e.V (VFBQ), acting as international projects coordinator and Interns’ counsellor. In her speech Mrs Beyer pointed out driving forces behind the Association, its concepts and ideas. She also elaborated on activities,being part of the project and executed in Germany and shared her experiences concerning partnership with District Labour Office in Tarnów and her cooperation with Interns. Then The Head of Professional Counselling and Promotion Department, Mrs Barbara Borowicz, explained the influence International Internships have on building the success of Participants on Polish and European labour market. ” Mrs Wioletta Beyer –VFBQ representative. Mrs Barbara Borowicz –The Head of PCP PUP Dept. „Making a virtue of a necessity- internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Conference summarizing achievements of the project

As the conference was heading towards the end, Participants decided to share their opinion about the project likewise to describe skills they obtained during Internships. Miss Angelika Semla, Mr Konrad Ryndak and Mr Wiktor Szwarga commented on their German experience. Handing over Europass-Mobility Documents – as prepared and approved by Polish Europass Centre- to the Participants of the project present on the conference, was the crowning moment of the event. Participants received their Documents from Mr Stanisław Dydusiak – Director of District Labour Office in Tarnów. Making a virtue of a necessity- internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” Conference summarizing achievements of the project

Uczestnicy o projekcie Our Participants about the project „Both District Labour Office in Tarnów and VFBQ did a great job. We were provided with very good accommodation and full board. Our counsellors in Germany were friendly and helpful. We could count on our coordinators from District Labour Office in Tarnów, who always wrote back on our s and gave a hand in case of any problem”. Konrad Ryndak. „ I find this project extremely profitable as we could increase our professional qualifications and improve our language skills. What is more, I feel more self-confident now and I know this experience increases the chance of getting a job in Germany. Actually, I am very proud of myself as, thanks to „Making a virtue of a necessity” project I got the job in Germany in exact same workplace I was trained in”. Angelika Semla. „Training in Germany gives a range of possibilities, among others, gaining or improving our skills. What is more, I find it vey pleasant and satisfactory. This kind of internship gives important experience and perspectives, that, I hope, will be useful in the future. It was unforgettable experience”. Mateusz Pajor. „Internship in Bad Freienwalde visibly boosted my self-esteem. I had lots of fun as well. We spent our free time sightseeing Berlin, Potsdam and neighbouring areas. I would gladly go there again”. Magdalena Kutra.

The project „ Making a virtue of a necessity – internships in Germany for Polish unemployed” was implemented with the European Commission financial support within the framework of Lifelong Learning Programme. District Labour Office in Tarnów

Thank you for your attention! LABOUR OFFICE