Skills Laboratory
About this good practice
The programme is specifically designed for socially vulnerable young people aged 16-29 and NEETs (those who are not in employment, education or training, or who are at a reasonable risk of dropping out of the education system). During the "Skills Lab", young people are given the opportunity to participate in a 30-day camp, an intensive skills and abilities development programme, which aims to develop the young person's social competences, strengthening self-esteem, self-knowledge, acquiring social, work and practical skills necessary to enter the learning process or the labour market, to successfully integrate into the community and society, while providing complex support measures. A group of no more than 10 young people stays for a month with the camp's professionals. The young people work together to establish internal rules and agreements, create their own household, daily routine, leisure time, resolve problems, participate in group and individual activities.
During the month-long camp, through personal assessment and evaluation, the participating young people, together with the professionals involved, draw up individual plans focusing on personal change and the process of learning or joining the labour market. These plans are continuously supported by the mentoring of the working professionals during and after the camp and by the provision of post-camp accompaniment services for the young people.
Expert opinion
Resources needed
The project was already funded by Norway Grants and is purchased by Lithuanian municipalities. Human resources are also needed - social workers, social pedagogues, psychologists, youth workers, integration and reintegration specialists who work during the camp and provide escort services afterwards.
Evidence of success
The “Skills Lab” programme involved 233 participants and provided 199 young people with ongoing individual support measures. The results of the programme were: 65 young people returned to education, 81 stayed in education and 53 got a job. The effectiveness of this programme was assessed and honoured by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania in 2024.
Potential for learning or transfer
The methodology or methods of the "Skills Lab" project can also be applied to work with other social groups and even in other countries. The methodology and working methods used are based on outdoor learning. Such camp-based practical activities based on outdoor learning methodology are also used by SEEDS Iceland (See beyonD borderS), a non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded in Iceland in 2005. Although no direct transfers of the programme have yet taken place, it has been recognised as an effective programme with a demonstrable impact on young people. The principles of social constructivism and relational dynamics on which the programme is based are universally applicable and can be adapted to other regions and countries. It's uniqueness in that it not only helps young people to return to education, training and the labour market, but also, through the provision of integrated services, it carries out prevention and intervention activities to reduce crime in Lithuania.
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Good practice owner
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