Abilities First: Empowering Talent Beyond Limits

Skills+ 3.0 is a European initiative dedicated to enhancing the employability of young adults and adults with labor disabilities. Through national and European skills competitions, coaching tools, and employer resources, the project celebrates ability, builds confidence, and promotes inclusive workplaces across Europe.
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Skills Competitions as Empowerment Tools

Skills+ 3.0 leverages national and European skills competitions to empower individuals with labor disabilities. By showcasing their practical talents in real work-based contexts, participants gain recognition, build self-esteem, and increase their chances of employment.

Guided Learning with Job Coaches and Buddies

Participants are supported by trained job coaches and buddies, using a dedicated Digital Manual. This mentorship fosters personalized learning, emotional encouragement, and practical guidance, ensuring participants develop both technical and soft skills effectively.

Inclusive Workplaces Toolkit for Employers

The project equips at least 200 SMEs across Europe with a practical toolkit designed to support inclusive recruitment and workplace adaptation. It promotes diversity, accessibility, and retention of employees with disabilities.

Strong Branding and EU-Wide Dissemination

Through an active dissemination strategy—social media, events, publications, and a multilingual website—Skills+ 3.0 promotes its model across the EU, engaging employers, training providers, and policymakers to replicate and scale up its results.

OBJECTIVES

The Skills+ 3.0 project aims to improve the employability of young adults and adults with labor disabilities by creating inclusive pathways to skill recognition and workplace integration. Through national and European competitions, personalized coaching, and employer engagement, the project seeks to:

  • Showcase the talents and abilities of people with disabilities rather than focusing on limitations.

  • Increase participants’ self-confidence and motivation through structured, real-world challenges.

  • Develop practical tools for job coaches, buddies, and employers to support inclusive training and hiring.

  • Promote social and labor market inclusion by creating a replicable model that celebrates diversity and skills across Europe.

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Develop New Learning Pathways for People with Labor Disabilities

Create structured and innovative learning routes that combine vocational skills, soft skills, and real-world experiences, enabling people with labor disabilities to enhance their job readiness.

Foster Transnational Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

Strengthen cooperation between partners across Europe to share expertise, align practices, and co-create scalable tools that support inclusion and upskilling in diverse socio-economic contexts.

Design and Pilot Tailored Educational Resources

Produce user-friendly resources such as the Digital Manual and Employer Toolkit, based on real needs, to support both learners and those who guide or employ them — with a strong emphasis on accessibility and usability.

Measure and Promote the Social Impact of Inclusive Practices

Monitor and evaluate the effects of competitions, coaching, and inclusive strategies on participants and stakeholders, using data to raise awareness and influence policies that support diversity in the labor market.

NEWS

National Competitions in Italy

National Competitions in Italy

by | Feb 27, 2017

Italian participants of the Skills + competitions competed in Palermo, Italy The Skills + National Competitions have taken place in Palermo, Italy. Participants competed in the categories green jobs and ICT. Due to he different types of labour disabilities it was...

European Skills Plus competitions in preparation

European Skills Plus competitions in preparation

by | Feb 16, 2017

The first edition of the European Competitions of Skills Plus will take place on the 16th of March 2017 at RAI Amsterdam The Skills Plus competitions are contests for teams and guarantee an unforgettable experience! Both individual and team skills play a part in the...