At SKF in Steyr, Austria, a pilot project that brings together SKF employees and disabled young adults for on-the-job skills training has met with great enthusiasm. The project is the first of its kind in Austria and within the SKF Group.

The young people, part of the government-sponsored BASAR – Job & Go programme, are aged 16 to 23 and have physical, mental or psychological disabilities. The aim of the programme is to help them improve their work and social skills with special training activities in order to prepare for a future job and also to better integrate into society.

SKF employees work with the young people on a volunteer mentor basis.

Thus far the mentors have had two full days of activities as well as monthly meetings with the young people. The response has been enthusiastic, with both the participants and the SKF employees reporting that they enjoyed the training. Meanwhile, the BASAR staff have been amazed at the progress of these students in such a short period of time.

“The mentors at SKF appreciate the opportunity to work together as a closely knit team with people from all departments while living up to the high standards of the SKF Code of Conduct. Everyone has something to contribute to the group, keeping the young adults’ welfare in mind,” says Gerry Hubmer, project leader at SKF.