IPA: Operational Programme for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, Improving labour market access of disadvantaged groups

Project Title: New skills for new job opportunity

Total project costs: 193,251.65 €

Requested funds: 142,637.12 €

Applicant: INDUSTRIAL PARK NOVA GRADIŠKA Ltd. for Development and Investments

Contracting Authority: Croatian Employment Service, Department for Financing and Contracting of EU Projects

Partners in the project:

1. Brod Posavina County
2. Croatian Employment Service – Regional branch Sl. Brod
3. Croatian Chamber of Economy – County chamber Slavonski Brod
4. The City of Nova Gradiška
5. Croatian Chamber of Trade and Crafts – Country Chamber Slavonski Brod 
6. Network of Roma Associations of Croatia
7. Industrial school Nova Gradiška

Target groups:

1. Long-term unemployed young people with low levels of education – up to 24 years
2. Any person that is unemployed for more than five years
3. Unemployed Roma and employed Roma who are willing to improve their own skills
4. Unemployed persons with disabilities, regardless of age and length in the unemployment register, and unemployed members of other national minorities (have priority and will be integrated with all target groups)

Project objective

The overall project objective is to reduce unemployment of disadvantaged groups in the Brod-Posavina County and Pannonian region through increasing their capacity for sustainable employment.

The specific objective of the project is design and implementation of an integrated system for increasing employability of vulnerable groups and their integration into the labor market,depending on the needs and trends of the labor market, and according to regional business needs and requirements.

Main activities

1. Local/regional active labour market network development – Furtherer development of partnership and cooperation network – establishment of work group for disadvantaged (involve Business sector, Employment and Educational institutions, Local and Regional authorities; development of labour market monitoring and analysis model; Portal development)
2. Training service development – Training curricula preparation; 90 trainees attend and successfully complete customized training program (CNC metal processing – 120 hours – 10 trainees; Welder – 350 hours – 10 trainees; Training in Measurement techniques – 120 hours – 10 trainees; Croatian language – course of reading and writing – 150 hours – 10 trainees; IT: Introduction to PC and Windows – 120 hours – 10 trainees; Iron bender – 160 hours – 10 trainees; Caretaker – 560 hours – 10 trainees; Basic English – 140 hours – 10 trainees; Entrepreneurship – 50 hours- 10 trainees; Evaluation and Certification.
3. Job club activities – Special workshops in Job search techniques, strengthening of self-confidence, development of individual career plan, find work and/or start a new career, finish or continue education programs; Job matching and mediation activities; Work experience acquisition programs implementation – 15 trainees involved. It is planned that 80% of trainees found employment with the help of the club, and a further 5-10% find other ways out of unemployment, (start their own business or by commencing study).
4. Entrepreneurship and Self-employment promotion and supporting activities – Assistance and support through education – Training on social entrepreneurship (training about principles of operation of social enterprises; about democratic ways of decision making within a social enterprise, social responsibility of businesses towards the environment and social audits, legal framework…); Social entrepreneurship promotion activities; consultancy and mentoring services for new entrepreneurs; Business incubator services support for youth entrepreneurs – mentoring, counselling and provision of office and production space.
5. Employment System roll out and promotion activities – conference, direct promotion, overall promotion activities.

The project should produce the following results:

1. Developed local/regional active labour market network,
   
2. Training service developed – 90 trainees have been trained, 
3. Job club is designed and developed – a number of trainees acquire working experience (15) have been employed (20) andimprove their employability and working prospects,
4. Entrepreneurship and self-employment is promoted and supported (1 new entrepreneur).

PARTNERS
Brod Posavina County

Brod Posavina County is located in the southern part of the Slavonian lowland, the area between mount Psunj, Pozega’s and Dilj highlands from the north and the Sava river from the south, and covers a total area of ​​2.043 km2, which makes 3,61 % of total Croatian territory (56.542 km2). According to population census from year 2001., the Brod Posavina County has 176.765 residents which is for 2005 inhabitants or 1,15% less than in year 1991.. Brod Posavina County participating with 3,95 % of the total population of Croatian (4.381.352). The average population density is 84,68 inhabitants per 1 km2.

Croatian Employment Service – Regional branch Sl. Brod

The composition of beneficiaries of the Croatian Employment Service is very diverse: from students in elementary school through the high school, students, unemployed, and employed adults. Students from primary school are the beneficiaries vocational guidance (informing and consultation) since they are faced with important professional decision – selection of schools and the first jobs. Part of their job deals with foreign nationals who are employed in the Republic of Croatia. And those on this site may find the information that will probably use.

Croatian Chamber of Economy – Sl. Brod Country Chamber

The door of the Croatian Chamber of Economy is open to all domestic and foreign business people. In regular activities, The Chamber provides them with the ability to use business information, services and contacts.

Croatian Chamber of Trade and Crafts – Sl. Brod Country Chamber

Croatian Chamber of Crafts is an independent professional business organization of craftsmen established to promote harmonization and representing the interests of crafts. Croatian Chamber of Trade and Crafts – Sl. Brod Counry Chamber is a member of the Croatian Chamber of Trade and Crafts, which is consisted of the 20 county crafts chambers with about 100.000 tradesmen. In Chamber of Crafts Brod Posavina County two associations of craftsmen are members from the field Brod Posavina County with 3.555 craftsmen.

The City of Nova Gradiška

The City of Nova Gradiška is located on the area of western Slavonia. The city has 15.800 citizens and the center of area with a population of 60.000. Economic potentials of City Nova Gradiška, constitute a significant human and natural resources, and outstanding geo-traffic position. Workforce is relatively educated and qualified. Nova Gradiška is positioned on crossroads of important international roads (E70) and railroads, telecommunications systems and oil pipeline, that connect countries Western Europe with the countries of Southeast Europe and the Middle East, what forms the basis for the development of the City as of traffic, the logistical and the distribution centre. The significant forest and agricultural areas, preserved natural environment with a relatively low degree of pollution, form the basis for the development of tourism, ecological agriculture and forestry, the wood processing and food processing industries based on highly quality domestic raw materials and long-standing tradition.

Network of Roma Associations of Croatia

Network of Roma Associations of Croatia from Slavonski Brod, Brod-Posavina County, is voluntarily brings together in desire of more effectively shaping and representing the interests and needs of community members. By connecting and mutual cooperation will be created conditions for strengthening the overall position of associations, both for building broad community support for the ideas that will be presented, as well as the negotiation and lobbying by local government bodies to find a better solution that will enhance cross-sectoral cooperation at the local level.

As very important factor in the development and democracy of Croatian society we recognize our place, our responsibility and our call, and in response to the need of time we want to actively participate in these processes.