3 years working with 3STEPs towards more inclusive societies where young migrants and refugees are welcomed, supported and included.
On the 23 November 2022 final conference “Social inclusion of (low-skilled) migrants and refugees in education: join 3STEPS network” was held in Strasboug where we talked about strategies and methodoloies to foster Education & Inclusion of disadvantages refugee and migrant learners.
3STEPs approach, as the name says, is based on 3 STEPs:
1) BASIC EDUCATION TRAINING to improve skills on literacy, numeracy and digital skills
It’s a best practice certified by the Austrian ministry, originally developed for low skilled people, then also implemented with migrant population to foster their integration into the national education system.
Basic Education Principles are the following:
- Puts the focus on the learner and its learning needs
- Is oriented towards existing competencias and competencies to be developed
- Is dialogical and reciprocal
- Interweaves action and reflectioon and thus enables guidance and transparency in the teaching-learning process
- Is critical of established knowledge
- Is oriented towards content and topics relevant to the learner
2) VOCATIONAL ORIENTATION AND BLENDED LEARNING by role models mentors
It offers youngsters mentors to support mentees from their own ethnic communities in order to inspire them as role models in future-oriented fields and think on alternatives to traditional tranings and jobs.
3) SOCIAL INCLUSION AND MUTUAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES for young migrants and refugees
Directed to strengthen basic skills and social inclusion of young migrants and refugees.
3STEPs project developed different resources:
- Handbook for Trainers and Mentors including recommendations on how to address migrants and refugees in an educational context, providing creative and innovative ideas for teaching.
- Youth training curriculum providing guidelines on how to implement blended teaching model for migrant and refugees’ youth by mentors of the same cultural background.
- 3STEPs European Network for social inclusion of (low-skilled migrants and refugees in terms of education and vocational training.
- Policy brief (available in January 2023) including considerations for social inclusion and recommendations on 3STEPs methodology to encourage other teaching and training institutions to adapt and develop them within their countries and contexts.
The project has come to an end, but our effort to suppor young migrants and refugees will continue. Join 3STEPs network and stay updated about future actions in the field!