Empowering Youth through Work-Based Learning Initiatives in Croatia

Performance through People Jane Rexworthy Executive Director jane.rexworthy@people1st.co.uk

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The Visit 3

International projects Development of a technical college in emerging markets Panama Development of a Retail Academy model Jordan, UAE , Egypt, Development of Travel Retail Academy- Global Duty Free World Council Development of customer facing services Egypt Scoping and development of a SSC for Tourism and Wine Armenia Creation & methodology for National Occupational standards and implementation, methodology for LMI, SSC development Uzbekistan; Development of apprenticeship frameworks Azerbaijan Development of skills partnerships Western Balkans Development of Traineeships and work placements Azerbaijan, Jordan Developing organisational training frameworks & design tailored programmes to meet the needs of the business identify Return on Investment - Chile 4

The Scope of work Addressing the significant inclusion gaps present in Croatia in relation to youth employment and skills mismatch in line with the country strategy, and potential regional inclusion impact by creating internship opportunities across the country Providing Croatia with a common platform to engage the existing and future private-sector organisations in offering work-based learning opportunities in Croatia Providing Croatian organisations with an internship framework based on international best practices and mentor programme 5

Outcomes and Outputs Outcome Young people (aged 18 to 25) in Croatia are provided with on-the-job training opportunities to gain skills that are directly relevant to the labour market and have access to a better career progression route Outputs / Target dates At least 5 employers sign up to the initiative / by December 2016 100 young people complete on-the-job training opportunities, of which 50 are young women / by December 2017 20 young women have completed mentoring opportunities / by December 2017 At least 3 guest lectures and academy-industry exchange dialogues are held at different academic institutions / by December 2017 1 visibility event is held to promote the outcome of PSYI / by December 2016 10% of students completing the internship are offered employment at hosting companies 6

Academy-Industry Exchange Industry leaders will provide guest lectures at partner academic institutions such as on their career development, company's growth trajectory and transition in skills, or specific trends and issues relevant to the business sector Roundtable discussions between industry leaders and universities and schools on the current skills standard within the sector, narrowing the gap of student competency perceived by employers and education providers, and identify practical measures for improvement on each side 7

Programmes Two work-based learning models will be deployed under the Initiative Internship Mentoring specifically focused on supporting female students complemented by academy-industry exchange to facilitate structural improvement. 8

Internship Internships are an effective measure to introduce students to a business sector, enabling them to have hands-on experience in gaining practical skills and knowledge at private companies during their studies. Internships will be available to students currently enrolled at academic institutions. Standard internship duration under the PSYI is minimum 6 weeks. Typically, each intern will be assigned with three tasks during the course of an internship Students and companies matched through a robust process Interns will receive reimbursement of costs incurred during the internship as set out in the contract A formal Internship Agreements will be signed between the student, the host company and the sending education institution, describing the relationship between the three parties The project will develop a preparation programme for the students and a half day coaching programme for employer coaches 9

Mentoring Mentoring to support young women into employment Mentoring will run as a complementary programme to the internship, based on voluntary commitment of experienced professional women In addition, it also envisaged that the businessmen may volunteer as the mentors. Students will submit a Motivation Letter to the designated coordinator at the University/Business school HUP will match the mentors and mentees based on their expressed interests and career objectives and facilitate the exchange of initial contact. Mentors and mentees will develop a plan defining goals. Standard commitment for both mentors and mentees is 6 months. Minimum 10 hours and 3 meetings are foreseen within this duration. The project partnership will develop a short mentor and mentee training programme 10

Road map Key milestones PSYI set up Visibility event 3 guest lectures and academy and industry exchange Internships Participating companies and academic institutions registered under HUP list Framework agreements signed between participating companies and academic institutions Internships Mentoring At least 10 interested women business leaders registered as mentors (2 students per mentor at most for the quality of mentoring) Mentor-Mentee match completed by HUP Mentoring Indicative target date October 2016 - December 2016 December 2016 December 2016 December 2017 March 2018 Dec 2016 February 2017 March 2017- Dec 2017 11

Steering group Role Establish itself as a sustainable steering committee composed of EBRD, HUP, and a number of business and academic representatives to provide strategic guidance and monitor the impact of the Initiative. Develop a generic framework agreement to be signed between firms and academic institutions including roles and responsibilities for both sides Advise on an internship contract template for firms that do not have established internship practices (especially SMEs) describing the relationship between the host company and individual students Advise and support the development of the Internship framework, programmes and the mentor programme Support the partnership to deliver the outcomes and outputs of the project Provide support and champion the PSYI initiative to employers, students and education institutions Participate in a visibility event to promote the initiative among its members and motivate them to get involved. 12

Aims of the Steering Group Provide young people (aged 18 to 25) in Croatia with on-the-job training opportunities to gain skills that are directly relevant to the labour market and have access to a better career progression route with real job opportunities on completion of internship programme Develop an internationally approved Internship framework and mentor programme Employers provide internship opportunities Provide a network of skilled mentors providing voluntary mentoring for women Establish an online presence for PSYI Ensure visibility of PSYI 13

Jane Rexworthy Executive Director jane.rexworthy@people1st.co.uk