European Alliance to Upscale DESIGN project’ results and strengthen the employability of people with changed working ability at the open labour market

When we applied for the WorkAbility project, our objective was to address the challenges identified by the OECD (2019), particularly the need to support adults with low skills in developing their soft skills and accessing tailored training opportunities. Targeted guidance services for these groups were scarce, highlighting the need for intervention. The project aimed to improve the participation and outcomes of adult education in the field of disability, while contributing to the EU Strategy (2019-2024) to promote equal opportunities and an inclusive labor market. It built on the outcomes of the DESIGN project to integrate innovative solutions already recognized as good practices. The ambition was to provide the necessary tools to foster the autonomy and sustainable inclusion of people in situations of disability in the mainstream labor market, while strengthening a European identity rooted in the principles of inclusion and social equality.

When we drafted the project, our objectives were to: - Strengthen the professional inclusion of people in situations of disability by developing their essential soft skills to succeed in their careers. - Improve the specifications of the digital "Job Profile" tool to enable self-assessment of their key soft skills levels necessary for job retention. - Create a training portfolio for professionals to help them develop these skills and enhance participants' autonomy within their employment. - Finally, design a practical guide for professionals and families to provide them with concrete tools for effectively using the job placement tool.

PR1: Development of Soft Skills • Identification of methodologies to develop 6 key soft skills. • Validation of tools and skills through focus groups with educators and employers. • Creation and publication of a resource on soft skills, translated into all partner languages. PR2: Development of the Workability Platform • Development of a soft skills framework and a self-assessment tool. • Creation of a new platform integrating the self-assessment tool, tested and refined with partners. • Launch of the platform with profiles for employers and talents, offering educational resources and access to job opportunities. PR3: Training on Soft Skills Program Definition: Creation of a structured training program on six soft skills. • Creation and testing of specific modules, followed by pilot sessions. • Evaluation completed and final program published online. PR4: Employability Guide • Presentation of best practices and guidelines for organizing information sessions. • Sessions conducted to test the guide and collect feedback. • Guide improved with an additional chapter on the use of the Workability platform, published online.

When the project was designed, the objective was to create innovative tools and resources to enhance the employability of persons with disabilities while involving key stakeholders. The concrete results achieved are as follows: 1 report on the soft skills needed for employment, developed with 43 participants through focus groups. 1 online tool to evaluate soft skills, available in 5 languages and tested by 64 participants. 1 structured course for soft skills development, piloted in 5 countries with 187 professionals. 1 guide for social workers and families, presented to 60 participants, supporting the use of the platform. 10 multiplier events disseminating project outputs and engaging 258 participants. These activities enhanced awareness of the transversal skills of persons with disabilities, motivated professionals to support their inclusion, and informed employers about the impact of diversity policies in addressing challenges faced by disadvantaged social groups.