Bridging Futures:
Integration and Career Development
This comprehensive initiative addresses the barriers to employment for individuals re-entering the Swiss job market and youth transitioning to professional careers, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The project aims to break the cycle of poverty and foster social integration through tailored educational support, vocational training, and personalized mentoring.
Objective
Together with its partners, Suyana supports projects aiming to enhance employment opportunities and perspectives for women re-entering the workforce and disadvantaged youth through the provision of educational grants, vocational training, and coaching.
The ultimate goal is to facilitate seamless job integration, foster financial autonomy, and enhance health-related metrics, promoting new opportunities and guiding individuals towards a brighter future.
Activities
- Educational Grants and Training: Suyana provides grants to cover education costs, focusing on tailored programs in the health sector and other high-demand fields. We collaborate with Frac and the Swiss Red Cross Bern to offer coaching and guidance to mostly women with limited formal job experience and education, particularly immigrants and mothers re-entering the workforce.
- Vocational Training and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs: We partner with Caritas Luzern, who offers a two-year pre-apprenticeship program (EBA-Lehre) in fields such as carpentry, logistics, cooking, cleaning, and sales. Practical education complemented by teachers’ support in bridging theoretical educational gaps and voluntary mentors assisting in work field orientation, apprenticeship search, and networking.
- Peer-to-Peer Mentoring: Suyana contributes to the implementation of our partner Rock Your Life’s mentoring program, aimed to provide 1.5 years of personalized support to young participants as they prepare for their professional lives. Mentors, who are either students or young employees, guide mentees in professional orientation, skills training, and network expansion, facilitating connections with potential employers and supporting their social integration.
Outcome and Impact
Job Integration and Financial Independence: Successful completion of education and vocational training programs, leading to secure employment and financial independence.
Enhanced Self-Esteem and Social Integration: Improved psychological health, social skills, and self-esteem among participants, fostering broader social integration.
Professional Development: Facilitated transitions to vocational training, secondary school, or further education for youth, empowering them to achieve their career aspirations.
Gender Equality: Empowerment of women and promotion of gender equality in career opportunities and personal development.
Our Partner
Join us in lifting barriers to employment and career development.
