Agenzija Appogg has launched a new training project for 200 staff members within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services as part of the European Social Fund Project ESF20.

Employment and vocational training is a leading priority in the National Development Plan and this action specifically addresses Appogg’s priorities by identifying those groups that are at risk of social exclusion and targets them for intervention. Such groups include youths living or leaving institutional care or foster care, persons who were traumatised in childhood or adolescence through experiences of abuse, single mothers and victims of domestic violence, persons with a disability and/or mental health problems, persons who have been in correctional facilities and therapeutic centres, and homeless people.

Social workers will be trained in supporting these individuals to prepare for their interviews, provide them with assistance, carry out advocacy with employers and helping clients and employers access ETC schemes that facilitate the employment of the above-mentioned individuals.

Joe Gerada, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, said that employment is the best measure to ensure that people do not drift into poverty and therefore find themselves excluded from mainstream society.

He said that the agencies of the Foundation were making important break thoughts into this new area of social work competence. “Social workers are about empowering individuals realise their potential by engaging in productive and rewarding employment”.

Therefore social workers seek to develop their knowledge about the vocational training and job opportunities available as well as developing their skills to facilitate the integration of their clients into the labour market.

Project ESF20 is part of the Structural Funds Programme for Malta for 2004-2006. It will include a series of training sessions spread over 3 months.

The services offered by Agenzija Appogg, Sedqa and Sapport give priority and focus on children and their families, adults in need, those in vulnerable situations and at risk of social exclusion. In this case this work is carried out by close collaboration with the ETC.

More information about Agenzija Appogg and its services on www.appogg.gov.mt and www.mfss.gov.mt.