A compass in coffee

Guidance

Brief description of the main purposes and contents 

In the summer period following the end of the lessons, some schools and associations meet young people in need of an orientation or reorientation activity. The reasons are different: young foreigners who do not know the Italian school system and often do not have sufficient competence in the Italian language to understand such a complex and delicate moment of choice, as well as their families.

For young Italians, among the cases of “summer school orientation” there are often situations of semi-school dropout and very low interest and motivation towards school experience.

As part of the guidance actions of the Cpia Napoli city 1 in the three-year project “Beautiful presence”, an action symbolically called “A compass in coffee” has been carried out since last year. This activity was carried out thanks to the cooperation between Cpia, IC, Studio Keller, and Dedalus.

The aim of this intervention is to offer young people and their families an opportunity to rethink with greater awareness or to evaluate new proposals for secondary school or CPIA courses (there are no VET courses for students under 16).

The actions for some young foreigners were supported by linguistic mediators.

Reasons why the project / program is considered a “good practice”

It is a service in great demand by the territory and by educational agencies. Thanks to this activity a strong network has been built between the different subjects involved in this sector.

Managing authority / organisation

Cooperativa Dedalus

Main target group

Adult people in general

Source of funding

Private (Foundations, sponsorships, participation fees)

Stakeholders involved 

Third sector organizations, Lower and Upper Secondary Schools.

Contribution of the practice in improving / promoting the social inclusion of the beneficiaries

Orientation activities take place through individual interviews in informal contexts and situations, just like when inviting a relative to have a coffee to discuss something important.

The informality of the action creates greater intimacy in order to highlight skills and critical issues, consequently the guidance work has more chances of success.

After the experience of last year, for young people with greater frailty, the need of a supporting educator has emerged, in order to allow continuity and support for the choices already made.

Elements of the project / program that could be easily transferred to other contexts

The possibility of providing informal moments of orientation in other places not related to the school.

Other potential target groups to which the project / program could be extended

Minors who do not complete their studies.

Practical evaluation carried out

Yes.

Results and measures taken following evaluation

Still in progress.

Participation data 

350 and more.

Description of the methods of implementation and any recommendations

Project is still in progress

Project / program website or other online reference resources

LINK