The European Alliance on Skills for Employability, and its partners Microsoft, Adecco Group and State Street have announced the 2011 Skills for Employability Awards competition to celebrate outstanding and effective uses of ICT training and skills development adapted by NGOs to raise employment prospects and improve digital and social inclusion.

There are three Awards categories and each winner will receive a 5,000 euros price.

The Awards Ceremony will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011. Three winners will be selected and honored at the European Employment Week that will take place on November 22nd and 23rd, in Brussels.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To enter the European Skills for Employability Awards, you must:
• be an organization in the voluntary sector or civil society;
• have a minimum 2 years of activity;
• be an ongoing program with a proven track re-cord using an enhanced model of employability illustrated by measureable outcomes;
• show how the project is making a difference in at least one of the three categories that are listed below; and
• be available to present your program at the Skills for Employability Awards that will take place at European Employment Week on 22 Nov. 2011.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The European Alliance on Skills for Employability invites applications to the 2011 Skills for Employability Awards relating to the following themes:

1. Youth Empowerment through Skills
This category will honor best in class, innovative, integrated approach with a proven track record and outcome on providing IT, soft skills training and volunteering opportunities to youth in disadvantaged areas to enhance their employability.
Eligible initiatives will not only exemplify the link between skills acquisition and employability but will also focus on the impact on young people’s ability to learn and affirm their sense of identity and self-confidence.

2. Active Aging through IT learning
2012 will be designated as the "European Year for Active Ageing". Active ageing includes creating more opportunities for older people to continue working but also to continue contributing to society.
If your project focuses on the acquisition of e-skills and better access to ICT infrastructures for elderly people through teaching, mentoring and/or tutoring, then this category is for you.
Your submission should demonstrate tangible results in creating better job opportunities and working conditions for older people, helping them take an active role in family life and society, combating isolation and promoting learning exchange.

3. Empowering Women through Technology
Women are less likely to have access to IT infrastructure and training. They are under-represented in the IT sector, making only 24% of ICT related carreers. A recent study led by the Technology & Social Change Group at the University of Washington and European research consultants D-O-T showed that computer literacy is a crucial asset for finding work and integrating socially for immigrant women in the EU.
Computer training and access to technology are essential skills in a world of economic and technological changes. ICT education not only empowers women emotionally and socially, but can also contribute to their economic empowerment
Successful program will demonstrate successful girls’ and/or women’s computer and information training with links to business and community in addressing the skills needs of the workforce. Your submission should describe the particular e-skills and competencies provided, why they are needed, and how they are best developed and transferred.

 
JUDGING

Across categories, judges will look for projects that best demonstrate the following characteristics:
- Achievements and evidences of the project’s impact: number of beneficiaries, growth in range of activities, substantial evaluation, etc.
- Employability: Develop IT training and skills program that seek to respond and adapt to market needs and employers requirements and as such have a proven track record of enhancing job prospects.
- Innovation and originality: for example, has your project made innovative use of technologies to increase learning capacity, reach rural or remote areas, improve motivation, raise awareness on the importance of e-skills?
- Partnership building: Exemplary partnership between organizations, public agencies, private companies, employer bodies, etc. has helped improve project impact and benefits to all involved.
- Community impact: Positive impact on society in terms of awareness, education, accessibility, gender equality, etc.

AWARD WINNERS WILL RECEIVE

• European recognition;
• A distinctive trophy to be presented at the 2011 European Employment Week in November;
• Visibility as a Skills for Employability Award winner on the websites and/or publications of Microsoft, Adecco and State Street; and
• A 5,000 euros cash price.

HOW TO ENTER

Please send us your application at secretariat@employabilityalliance.eu by September 19th, 2011
Please consider the following elements when filling-in your entry:
• Mission, goals & objectives
• Measurement of results
• Achievements and evidence of project’s impact (i.e. number engaged, growth in range of activity, awards and recognitions)
• Innovation & originality of the project and/or partnership
• Actual and potential sustainability of the project
• Positive change – current and potential
• Ability to be used as a model

EA-Award2011-Entry-Form.pdf     Call_for_Entries_2011.pdf

For further information on the 2011 European Skills for Employability Awards, please contact:

Yanne Courcoux, General Secretary, The European Alliance on Skills for Employability, at secretariat@employabilityalliance.eu or yanne.courcoux@econet-consultants.com