New opportunities for young people: Volkshilfe starts innovative JobTrain program!

New opportunities for young people: Volkshilfe starts innovative JobTrain program!

In the vibrant Nordbahnviertel of Vienna, Volkshilfe offers valuable support for young people after compulsory schooling with its innovative “JobTrain” program. Young people often struggle with legacies from school, such as mental illnesses, which significantly impact their chances of a smooth transition into vocational training. According to the Kurier, the program is housed in a new, green building and is characterized by a wide range of offerings that respond to the individual needs of the participants. Here the young people have the opportunity to work in different groups, be it in the workshop, in the creative room, in the nutrition group or in the IT group, where, for example, they prepare plastic materials for 3D printing.

“JobTrain” is part of an initiative by the Ministry of Social Affairs and aims to provide young people between the ages of 15 and 21 who suffer from psychological impairments such as depression or anxiety disorders with specific “training fitness”. Tanja Wehsely, Managing Director of Volkshilfe, emphasizes that this offer is not only intended for young people who are considered “difficult”, but for all young people who want to develop a responsible perspective in life. With a total of 50 places available, the coaches and specialist trainers want to specifically address everyday issues and career goals in order to get the young people back on track.

Program content and structure

An innovative feature of the “JobTrain” program is its holistic approach, which not only focuses on the professional but also the personal development of the participants. The participants work in a mixed environment that not only gives space to their professional skills, but also promotes creative expression. For example, you decorate the meeting room with colorful posters to create a positive atmosphere. The training takes place in various areas, including IT and digitalization, art and design, ecology and crafts, and sport.

• Training: Hier können die Jugendlichen Fähigkeiten in den Bereichen Computer, Kunst, Handwerk und Ernährung erlernen.
• Coaching: Ein Bezugscoach sorgt für individuelle Begleitung und Therapien, die auf die speziellen Bedürfnisse der Teilnehmer abgestimmt sind.
• Wissenswerkstatt: Kreative Methoden fördern den sicheren Umgang mit neuen Medien.
• Sport: Wöchentliche Bewegungsangebote und Entspannungstechniken helfen den Jugendlichen, Stress abzubauen und ihre körperliche Fitness zu stärken.

The maximum program duration is one year, with the possibility of extension, giving participants enough time to reflect on their progress and achieve their goals.

Future prospects and successes

The positive effects are already noticeable: many participants find apprenticeships after completing the program or decide to go back to school to continue their training. It is particularly pleasing that young people with special support, for example for those with autistic disorders, can also experience a structured and successful integration into the labor market. In this context, reference is often made to studies, such as the projects carried out in Switzerland to integrate young people with psychological problems, which support the evidence for the need for such programs. According to the ZHAW, mental illnesses not only influence career prospects, but can also make it very difficult to find training positions because they often remain unrecognized and untreated. Therefore, early intervention, such as “JobTrain” can offer, is of great importance.

Anyone who is interested in this pioneering program can contact Philip Guzelnig on 0676/883998507 or by email p.guzelnig@volkshilfe-wien.at. An interview with youth coaching marks the first step into a new chapter in your life.

Further information and details can be requested directly from Volkshilfe Wien: Volkshilfe website or in the article from Kurier and [ZHAW].