NextStep is a project dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people in the Northwest region in their transition to the labor market by implementing an integrated set of active and personalized measures, including counseling, vocational training, job placement, and digital skills development. The project targets 278 young people, including at least 112 NEETs and at least 42 of Roma ethnicity, with the primary goal of increasing employment rates and reducing the risk of social exclusion.

Through interventions tailored to each participant’s needs, Next Step aims to develop the technical, digital, and soft skills essential for sustainable social and professional integration. Young people receive personalized career counseling, support in drafting their resumes and cover letters, mock interviews and career guidance sessions, as well as direct connections with employers in the Northwest region, facilitating real access to employment opportunities.

The vocational training component includes a Level 2 certification program for the occupation of manual/artisan carpenter (COR 752203), which provides the technical skills required by the labor market, supplemented by modules focused on sustainability and the green economy. At the same time, participants take digital skills courses designed to increase their employability in an increasingly digitized labor market.

In line with specific objective ESO4.1, the Next Step project actively contributes to promoting social inclusion, reducing inequalities, and increasing youth participation in the labor market. Through its modern, integrated, and individual-needs-centered approach, the project not only combats youth unemployment but also lays the groundwork for sustainable economic development based on relevant skills, adaptability, and social responsibility.