Sentrale kvalitetar i arbeidsinkludering av sårbar ungdom, slik ungdom sjølv og arbeidsgivarar opplever det

Abstract

Kva for kvalitetar er viktige i arbeidsretta bistand til sårbar ungdom slik dei sjølv og arbeidsgivarar opplever det? Intervju med 22 ungdommar og 12 arbeidsgivarar viser at positiv orientering, skryt, humor, empati, praktisk bistand, fleksibilitet og skreddarsaum kan vera sentralt. Særleg viktig er etablering av «vanlege» relasjonar så som foreldre-, venne- eller omsorgsrelasjonar. Det kan tidvis vera behov for at hjelpar aktivt dreg prosessen. Bistanden kan like mykje handle om å bygge sjølvtillit som arbeidskompetanse. Kunnskap om å møte sårbarhet og korleis fremje verdsettande roller på arbeidsplassar i ordinære arbeidsmiljø framstår som vesentleg. Både ungdom og arbeidsgivar kan trenge bistand.

What are vital qualities in job-inclusion of vulnerable youth? Inclusion in society of vulnerable youth aged 15-25 years who has dropped out of school or work (NEETs) is an important task for the welfare services. In this article I explore central characteristics and qualities in helpers assisting vulnerable young people into employment. Data are drawn from an evaluation of 15 youth projects located in different parts of Norway. The projects were aimed at developing suitable social work approaches towards vulnerable youth in orde r to assist them towards inclusion in school or work. The article is based on interviews with 22 youths and 12 employers who participated or collaborated with these local youth inclusion projects. The article shows that work inclusion of vulnerable youth is a multi-faceted task, where both humour, empathy, positive orientation, flexibility, boasting, practical assistance, tailoring and discretion are key components. Support givers need skills in meeting vulnerability and knowledge about how to facilitate mastery of work tasks and role-valorisation in the workplace. Both the workplaces and the youth may need support. Findings suggest that Social Role Valorization Theory holds relevant insights and approaches suitable also in work-related support for vulnerable youth.