Abstract:

This paper presents an innovative methodology for the training of adults based on the promotion of their undertaking in the third sector. Specifically aimed at adults between 18 and 35 years old with severe obstacles (either economic, social, cultural, disability barriers, etc.), it establishes a learning process that trains the user in the development of the curricular competencies marked by adult education while also providing them with specific training for the management of projects and social entities through specific contents and by promoting their active participation and social entrepreneurship in social entities throughout Europe.

This methodology solidifies in the “Training course for adults with obstacles in the third sector”, a mixed course comprised of a virtual part of 960 hours throughout 16 subjects that establishes autonomous work processes (adapted to their technical and time needs and which involves digital volunteering), in small groups (where they must collaborate with other users to carry out a social undertaking project) and in large groups (through masterclasses of leading figures in the European third sector and tutorials of expert teachers in the third sector), all it carried out within a unique platform adapted to the needs of users called Benita Gil 2.0 Second Chance Center. Likewise, while carrying out this course, participants have the possibility of carrying out two months of paid internships in Third Sector entities (European networks, NGOs, associations, social cooperatives…) in countries other than their usual residence, in which they take on the functions of a project technician. Only 20 people chosen through a public, objective, and open selection process according to their specific characteristics will participate in the course, completely free of charge, and at the end of it they will present their own social entrepreneurship project, which may be financed by ethical and solidarity banking entities linked to the project, providing them with a real opportunity for employment and contributing to the inclusion of the group to which they belong.

Collaborating with a social entity is a very good opportunity to set achievable and exciting objectives that encourage people to study, acquiring practical training at the same time as they contribute to improving the European society, thus strengthening the social fabric and encouraging participation. It should be borne in mind that in the hiring of workers in the Third Sector, personal involvement, volunteering experience and the existence of exclusionary obstacles are also specifically valued beyond the qualifications themselves. This makes the Third Sector a very good opportunity for the employability of adults with obstacles who have carried out volunteering activities.

Acknowledgements:
This work has been funded by the Erasmus+ Programme within the project 2022-1-ES01-KA220-ADU-000089775; Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE).

Keywords:

Adults training, employability, third sector.