Work Training Project in Kärdla

Kärdla's Government together with Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund and SATuuru provided in autumn 2010 a project for unemployed people in Kärdla Work Training. The unemployed unable to get a job and increasing their social inclusion were the project's target. Work practice was directed mainly to form the team work habits, to take responsibility and to increase accuracy.

Altogether 10 people took part in the project: 5 women and 5 men. All participants are listed in the Unemployment Insurance Fund's database. Also, long-term unemployed and handicapped people, who lacked work habits or had obstacles to work, were included.

Participants were divided into 2 groups with purpose to give both men and women appropriate work. Program included 400 hours per participant, where 250 hours were work hours and 150 other activities (counseling, lectures, etc.).

Participants were provided with the loan counseling and victim support services. Also, they had some health tests, could talk with psychologist, career counselor, get computer training, etc. Moreover, they got information about labour market situation and possibilities of employment. They were introduced to different professions and met with employers.

There was also time for some practical work. Activities included different cleaning works in the city, like lawn mowing, raking, cleaning curbs, cutting small trees, cleaning ditches and ponds, chopping firewood, etc. Also, participants got training about blacksmithing and carpenter's work.

There were lessons about knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidering and making food. The participants could work as assistants in kindergarten and in the rehabilitation centre for handicapped people. The practical component of the training program was 62,5%.