A group of 368 young people, aged between 16 and 24, who for various reasons found it difficult to find or hold on to employment and were at risk of social exclusion, have benefited from an EU-funded project entitled Embark for Life (E4L).

Of the 386 participants, 132 have found and maintained a job or moved on to further training

The main aim of the project, co-financed by the European Social Fund, was to support these young people to take part in educational programmes or find employment so that they would be able to live as independently as possible within their community and improve their standard of living.

The project offered various forms of training and support according to the participants’ needs. These included sessions about communication, life skills, budgeting and monetary skills, health and safety at the workplace, and networking to find a job.

Further training was given on preparing a curriculum vitae, job application writing skills, searching for the right job, adapting to a workplace and teamwork.

Vocational training was also provided by educational institutions including the Malta College of Art Science and Technology in various areas, such as revision courses to prepare for O level examinations, hair-dressing, nutrition, nail technician courses, food handling, computer skills, and others.

The project also enabled a number of participants to undertake driving lessons and obtain their driving licence, thereby improving their employability.

So far, out of the 386 participants in the project, 132 have found and maintained a job or moved on to further training of up to six months.

The project started in 2009 and was led by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services through its agencies Appoġġ and Sedqa, in collaboration with the Employment and Training Corporation and the Housing Authority.

www.appogg.gov.mt