Prague launches retraining project for homeless

Prague, Feb 14 (CTK) - The Prague City Hall, with the EU's support, has started a retraining project worth 30 million crowns to bring homeless people to work, the project's organisers told journalists yesterday.

The homeless, who could hardly find a job otherwise, are offered courses, training and assistance in seeking a job, plus free meal vouchers.

A total of 266 people have joined the Back To Work project so far, the organisers said.

Street workers have addressed potential participants among homeless people and asylum homes' inhabitants.

Those who decide to undergo a work skill training or a debate with an adviser, receive a meal voucher worth 70 crowns per day.

"No one would definitely take part in our project if we had not motivated them by the vouchers offer," admitted Petr Knop, from the Projekt Integrace organisation that has cooperated on the project with the City Hall.

Working with homeless people who have not worked for a long time or have just returned from prison is very difficult. At the consultations they are taught rules such as to be at work in time, observe the working hours and turn up clean and sober at work, Knop said.

Besides, the participants can join some of the 40 retraining courses focusing on crafts and work in social services.

Homeless people can visit the project's headquarters even if they seek a job. Projekt Integrace cooperates with cleaning and construction companies that are willing to employ disadvantaged people. If such a worker proves himself/herself, the company can admit him/her to a state-supported position for half a year. The state subsidises this type of employment with 3,200 crowns per month and employee.

The Back To Work project is to run through August 2013 and is expected to be joined by 500 people living in Prague. It is also open to foreigners, including from non-EU countries, if they have stayed in Prague for half a year and command the Czech language partly at least.

($1=18.896 crowns)