WYG

We implemented this complex project which worked with the Ministry of Economy to prepare for implementing the acquis communautaire, including work on technically complex EU accession issues. There were several parallel modules in this project which assisted the development of policy, legislation and administrative mechanisms ; in addition, detailed studies and impact assessments were undertaken to assess the social and economic consequences of implementing the acquis in selected areas.

A major module of the project had the objective of providing assistance in solving the employment problems of local communities in the process of restructuring the coal, iron and steel sectors, by analysing the characteristics of local labour markets and by designing a programme of creating new workplaces for developing a system of private small and medium enterprises in those gminas facing the most negative consequences of restructuring.

The vocational profiles of 4500 workers to be made redundant as a result of industrial restructuring were analysed and at the same time comprehensive analysis of current and predicted job offers on the labour market was made by collation of notified and advertised vacancies together with employer surveys and sample interviews in selected gminas. A dynamic model was developed in conjunction with the local labour offices to provide a continuous monitoring system. Using qualitative and quantitative surveys together with sample interviews, the labour market analysis showed clearly the vulnerable groups and the skills not being met by local training providers. This was used to identify the gap between the vocational profiles of workers being released and those of the labour market demand, and to recommend areas where skills gaps could be met by the development and delivery of new types of training and educational programmes.

A further part of this project involved an analysis of the financial and economic position of the gminas where most job losses had occurred or were planned, and the development of a set of instruments to stimulate SME development, investment appraisal techniques and the training of employees responsible for the creation and implementation of local development projects for those communities which were most negatively affected by the restructuring. The consulting team also developed and delivered training material to assist gmina staff in gaining the skills and knowledge to:

• Prepare and implement practical policies to encourage new SMEs to start and existing SMEs to expand
• Maximise gmina income from all external financial sources
• Select and prepare investment projects
• Prepare multi-annual investment plans for economic and social development in line with EU member countries

An SME development and investment appraisal handbook was produced to support the community socio-economic development programmes in each of the affected gminas.