A Slovenian project is supporting more than 2,000 young people with special needs – and reducing discrimination and social exclusion – by helping them to make an easier transition from school to employment.

In Slovenia, employers must employ a certain number of disabled people to fulfil mandatory quotas. According to Youth Transition, this means that as many as 1,000 young people with special needs could be employed each year. So, with help from ESF funding, the project is making this easier for both employers and potential employees.

Youth Transition is led by the Association of Vocational Rehabilitation Providers of the Republic of Slovenia, with 13 project partners across the country. 

By introducing employment-related support into the education system, and working with families, schools and employers to facilitate co-ordination and co-operation from an early stage, Youth Transition is already making a difference.

'The value of our project is recognised by many educational and other professional organisations in the field of health, social care and employment, as well as many parents or guardians and young people with special needs and employers,' explained project co-ordinators Maja Zovko Stele, Tatjana Dolinšek and Mojca Arh.

'The project is being successfully established and is taking on the role of an equal partner in addressing the pressing problem of employing young people with special needs.

'The results of the project attained thus far and the many stories of success prove that the project is making a significant contribution to improving society, and above all improving social inclusion and reducing discrimination in employment of young people with special needs.'