SES initiative "VerA" for trainees: Positive results after two years

"VerA" (abbreviation for "prevention of breaking-off training") is a relatively young initiative by the Senior Experts Service (SES) - one of the largest German volunteer organisations for retired specialists and executives. As part of VerA, SES experts assist young trainees who face problems during their training and help build up their social competences and learning motivation.

After two years - VerA started in March 2009 - positive results can be presented: About two thirds of the assisted trainees completed their training successfully or are on a good way.

The secret of success lies in the so-called "tandem model": Usually one SES expert assists one single young person at a time. More than 1,000 senior experts were especially trained to act as contact person and confidant for the trainee. So far, more than 1,000 requests have reached the SES initiative.

VerA has been initiated together with the German Chambers of Trade (DHKT), the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the German Association of the Self-Employed (BFB). It is supported by the JOBSTARTER initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).The service, which is now available until the end of 2013, is free of charge for trainees, training companies and vocational schools.