Mathias Auch 5 March 2013 Vocational guidance service

Mathias Auch – 5 March 2013 Vocational guidance service of the Nagold-Pforzheim Employment Agency

Agenda Organisation and Duties of the Federal Employment Agency Statutory remit and principles of vocational guidance The four pillars of vocational guidance Vocational guidance in Pforzheim and Enzkreis Careers information centre Selected web sites Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 2

Organisation of the Federal Employment Agency The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit - BA) is the largest provider of labour market services in Germany and is financed through unemployment insurance contributions. The BA comprises the head office in Nuremberg 10 Regional Directorates 156 Employment Agencies approx. 610 branch offices special agencies (Institute for Employment Research, International Placement Service, University of the Federal Employment Agency, IT System House, Family Benefits Office) The BA is headed by the Executive Board consisting of the chairman, Frank-J. Weise, and the members, Heinrich Alt and Raimund Becker. Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 3

Duties of the Federal Employment Agency The main duties are: placement in training places and workplaces vocational guidance employer counselling promotion of vocational training promotion of further training promotion of professional integration of people with disabilities benefits to retain and create workplaces and compensations for reduced income, e. g. unemployment benefits, short-time working allowances or insolvency payments The Federal Employment Agency also conducts labour market and occupational research, labour market observation and reporting and records labour market statistics. It administers child and family benefits and is active in fighting benefit fraud. Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 4

Statutory remit and principles of vocational guidance • According to Volume III of the German Social Code (SGB III) the Employment Agencies have the statutory remit “to offer vocational guidance to young persons. . . ” Principles of vocational guidance: - Counselling is available to young people up to the age of 25 - Counselling is carried out on a voluntary basis, in a neutral manner and free of charge - Persons receiving counselling are not steered toward any particular profession - Career guidance is offered at all schools providing general education Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 5

The four pillars of vocational counselling Careers guidance and orientation Individual counselling Placement assistance Support Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 6

Careers guidance and orientation (1) The object of vocational orientation is to provide timely information to all young people faced with a choice of training placement or career about: The job market Key questions relating to choice of training, career and study options Educational opportunities and courses of study Grants and support Ways and means of independently finding in-depth information The nature and extent of careers guidance available Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 7

Careers guidance and orientation (2) Careers orientation is carried out by means of: School meetings and consultations Parent/teachers’ meetings Careers fairs Visits to and events held at the Careers Information Centre (BIZ) Web-based careers advice Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 8

Individual counselling (1) Trained counsellors are available to assist in all questions arising in connection with the choice of career or course of study. Individual questions can be dealt with and plans laid in detail in series of private consultations. In addition, there is the option to take a standard aptitude test. The consultation process is based on a scientific and specialised counselling concept. Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 9

Individual counselling (2) Common reasons for counselling: Questions relating to training or courses of study Choice of suitable career or undergraduate course Choice of traineeship or apprenticeship No idea what to do when finishing school or studies Questions about placement or job market Need to take a career aptitude test Questions regarding job applications Unable to find a job in chosen career and looking for alternatives Health issues or difficulties in school Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 10

Placement assistance Careers counsellor Employer service -know the companies and schools -know the young people Allocates In-company training placements “Matching” to find the “right” placement for the “right” applicant Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 11

Support (1) In order to ensure that each young person receives training appropriate to their talents, a broad spectrum of support options are available to the careers guidance service. In 2013 the Employment Agency in Pforzheim and Enzkreis made € 3. 9 million available for this purpose. In cases of financial need, the Agency may bear the cost of job applications and travel or make a grant toward the cost of training. Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 12

Support (2) – examples Extended in-depth career orientation a variety of measures in schools to assist pupils with career choices Assistance for career entrants Assistance for young people at selected schools Vocational preparation training in some cases in conjunction with obtaining lower secondary school certificate Entry-level vocational qualification Vocational training in external institutions Full training for especially disadvantaged young people in integrative (= at an educational provider) or cooperative mode (= employer + educational provider) Assistance with training Private coaching/socio-pedagogical assistance for trainees Vocational training grants Financial assistance with training fees Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 13

Vocational counselling in Pforzheim and Enzkreis 11 careers advisers for first stage of secondary education 3 careers advisers for sec. stage of secondary education (professions) 2 careers advisers for young persons with special needs ______________ 5 placement officers focusing on employers 4 placement officers for unemployed young persons without training 1 psychologist 1 occupational physician Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 14

The Careers Information Centre (Bi. Z) The Careers Information Centre provides a variety of media services and events relating to the topics of training, study and careers. Here, information folders, books and newspapers can be consulted. Internet workstations provide a wide variety of information using the latest technology and a fast internet access. Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 15

Selected web sites www. arbeitsagentur. de and its Job Shop ( opportunities ) for situations vacant and training The training centre, the largest internet portal for vocational training and professional development in Germany, which provides information about training opportunities throughout the Federal Republic and a selection of attractive job offers in other European countries The careers information portal featuring texts, images and videos offers careers information to pupils in the first stage of secondary education. Here, visitors will find interesting articles covering all aspects of choosing a career, applying for jobs and taking up employment. The CAREERS Universe section of planet-beruf. de enables young people to evaluate their strengths, interests and aptitudes. Mathias Auch, COO, 5 March 2013, © Agentur für Arbeit Nagold-Pforzheim Page 16