"Voorwerk" (preparative work)

Voorwerk started in Schiedam in 1998. Schiedam is situated in the western part of the Netherlands very near to Rotterdam. Schiedam has 76.500 inhabitants. In the last four years the population has increased.

The percentage of immigrants is 28% and increasing rapidly. After Amsterdam , Rotterdam and the Hague, Schiedam is the most urbanized city in the Netherlands.

Up till the end of the 1980’s Schiedam has experienced substantial job losses due to the collapsing shipping industries and metal producing sectors. During the 1990’s more diversification of employment was realised. Today’s number of jobs is 26.000 and the number is still growing. The unemployment rate is decreasing and now 10 %, which is still higher than the national average. A large number of people is unfit to work and there is much long term unemployment.

Unemployment is not the only problem in Schiedam. The city has less average income than the regional average and the level of education is below the national average.

In her educational policy towards youth at risk, the city of Schiedam works on a regional level together with the cities of Vlaardingen and Maassluis. In this approach a region of 200.000 inhabitants is served.

The general goal is that young people qualify themselves for work and society. In obtaining these goals the approach is continuous and tailor-made. Furthermore it is aimed at educational outcome. All secondary schools in the region work together in this approach. A lot of activities are undertaken to prevent youngsters to drop out of school. For instance, all secondary schools have social teams. These teams include a school physician, a social worker and a counselor. These counselors work for the Educational Support Unit. This unit ,which is a cooperation of the schools and the municipality, helps schools in their preventive activities. Each year 500 to 600 pupils at risk are diagnosed at the Educational Support Unit. Together with the schools an action-plan will be laid out and the pupil is guided for at least a year. Apart from this the unit also has a special referral class for youngsters for whom it is impossible at a certain moment to attend mainstream schools. In this class youngsters are observed for a period of time and together with parents and youth-help organisations a plan is made for their return to school or work. And then there is also the possibility of the Second Chance School.

This points out that in Schiedam the Second Chance School is not on its own. It is an alternative educational route in a fully integrated approach in secondary education.

Voorwerk education is meant for young people between 15 and 23 years of age. They are placed through a special committee of the Educational Support Unit. This committee has to state that Voorwerk is the best solution for these youngsters and that it is not possible for mainstream schools to cope with them any longer.

In Voorwerk pupils have a three days’ in-service education. In these three days pupils go to all sorts of companies and firms in their preference sector. One day a week they follow a practice simulation program in which they acquire practical skills and theoretical knowledge. The fifth day of the week is filled with theory . These are individual programs based on the needs of each individual pupil. Training social skills is a very important element in these programs.

Voorwerk started in Schiedam in 1998. A steering committee with representatives of five colleges and the municipality of Schiedam, functions as a governing council. Every year between 70 and 120 pupils make use of this alternative educational route. For 80% of them the result is positive. This means that they acquire qualifications enabling them to find a job or to follow further vocational education.

EMP/SKILLS - Skills and Employability Department