Background 

Basic digital skills have become a necessity in order to gain a foothold in the labour market. Social enterprises have the task to prepare their clients for the labour market, train them and place them in work or qualification measures. In order to be successful it is necessary to develop new methods in support and placement of clients while identifying and addressing inherent chances and risks in the digital world. 

Project objective

arbeit plus NÖ is launching a digitalisation offensive in Lower Austria's employment and consulting projects. The Ilse Arlt Institute for Social Inclusion Research at St. Pölten UAS provides scientific input throughout the project. The researchers are also acting in the role of advisors for the implementation of the gained knowledge in qualification measures. 

The project happens in close cooperation between practice and science. In a continuous, participatory process relevant, applicable knowledge on digitalisation is imparted to the target groups (key employees as well as clients of social enterprises). Emphasis is put on identifying what knowledge members of the target group consider relevant. Using this information as well as findings from previous training programmes with similar target groups, a tailor-made training concept is created, which aims at overcoming their reticence about digitalisation.

Throughout the project, regular evaluations are carried out to monitor progress in development. The interaction between accompanying research and practical implementation ensures that the training content is not only relevant to the target group but also that it is constantly adapted and improved. 

Result 

On the basis of this practical experience, digital documents for multipliers in the social enterprises are produced and made freely available online.