The value of the mentoring network in labour insertion
Created to help, guide and provide support for jobseekers, the mentoring network has had to address a double challenge in recent months: to adapt to the virtual environment, and to a labour market weakened by the social and economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Despite this, the service has helped more than 250 unemployed people who are actively seeking work.
Of those seeking support, 90% are over 45 years of age, 60% are women and nearly 20% have only basic qualifications or none at all.
The mentoring network is part of Barcelona Activa’s Mentoring Plus project, now in its sixteenth edition and helping people in Barcelona with difficulties accessing the labour market, particularly older age groups. The service uses a local approach, connecting people in the same district.
Mentors provide support for the unemployed and encourage them to take on new challenges and find new occupations, helping them to improve their labour situation. They do so on a completely voluntary basis, which is one of the things users value the most.
Programmes such as this help talent in the city to grow. This is one of the priorities of the Barcelona Green Deal agenda, which aims to help develop talent and guide it towards the sectors which generate jobs in the city.
New edition
The mentoring network will shortly be opening up a new edition. Given the current situation, this is one of Barcelona Activa’s occupational programmes that has had to be conducted online in recent months. These programmes are available at the Barcelona Treball website, and at the Cibernàrium in the case of trades.
