Reach Out to the "Left-Behind" – improving guidance for working persons from the underprivileged milieu
▶Summary
We applied for the ReachOut project to address significant barriers to education and further training among the lower underprivileged milieu, often referred to as the "left behind" segment of soci...
▶Objectives
The objectives of the ReachOut project were to: Enhance the skills of guidance practitioners to cater to the needs of working people from the underprivileged milieu. Raise awareness among governing actors to influence policy and strategy development in educational guidance. Support working people from the underprivileged milieu in accessing education and training opportunities to improve their employment prospects.
▶Activities
The implementation of the ReachOut project involved the following activities: Extensive desk research conducted at both national and European levels to gather relevant information on the project's topic. Progress presentations during Mutual Learning Seminars (MLS1-4) held at Transnational Partner Meetings (TPM 1-4), during several E-Mails and videocalls held via Zoom/MS Teams to facilitate collaboration and exchange among partners. Stakeholder interviews conducted for PR1, with 3-5 interviews per partner, totaling 18 interviews lasting 30 minutes each. Guidance practitioner focus groups to two to five participants conducted for PR2, with at12 persons per country, totaling 48 persons, each lasting 60 minutes at least. Compilation of project results, including PR1 Country Reports, PR2 Self-Study-Manual, and PR3 Policy Paper. Development and launch of a Project Onepager and a Project Website to disseminate project information and outcomes. Presentation and discussion of project results at Multiplier Events (ME1-4) held in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, each event hosting approximately 20-25 participants. Participation in various conferences, workshops, and seminars to present project findings to different target groups and stakeholders.
▶Impact
The ReachOut project delivered several concrete outputs and results: PR1 Country Reports: Detailed reports titled "Habitus Sensitive Guidance for Underprivileged Milieu" were produced for Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovenia in both their respective languages and English. These reports, spanning about 20 pages each, provide an overview of the current policy and practices regarding educational guidance for working persons from underprivileged milieus. PR2 Self-Study-Manual: A comprehensive manual titled "Experiences and Cases from working with the Underprivileged Milieu" was created in English, German, Slovenian, and Czech languages. This manual, approximately 65 pages long, aims to assist guidance practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders in understanding and reflecting on guidance practices for individuals from underprivileged backgrounds. It contributes to the professional development of practitioners and offers tailored guidance approaches. PR3 Policy Paper: A concise policy paper, "Habitus Sensitive Guidance - recommendations for policy makers," was developed in English, German, Czech, and Slovenian languages. With each paper spanning 20 pages, it targets governing actors, decision-makers, and stakeholders involved in educational and vocational guidance policy. The paper provides recommendations to adapt guidance policies to better address the needs of working persons from underprivileged milieus. Project Website: A dedicated project website, hosted on ÖSB webspace, serves as a central hub for accessing all project outputs. This website ensures that the content remains freely accessible for an indefinite period, facilitating continued use and dissemination. Multiplier Events (ME1-4): Four multiplier events, one in each partner country (Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Czech Republic), were organized to disseminate project results and engage in discussions with relevant stakeholders. These events aimed to increase awareness of societal stratification's impact on guidance needs and foster dialogue among guidance practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders. ReachOut-OnePager: A concise presentation of the project, available in English, German, Czech, and Slovenian languages, serves as a quick reference for dissemination purposes. Additionally, various dissemination activities such as journal articles, newsletter publications, social media engagements, and presentations targeted different audience groups, further enhancing the project's impact and visibility.