When Kristof left school, he had no qualifications, no idea what he would like to do for work and very little confidence. Like many vulnerable young adults, leaving school without qualifications had left him struggling. 

However, thanks to JoTa+, a European Social Fund (ESF) funded project by ‘vzw aPart’ in Ghent, Belgium, Kristof started to turn his life around. ‘I learned to drive a forklift truck,’ he explains. ‘And I have had several coaching sessions. I’ve kept up thanks to my coach Kris. He put me at ease and gave me confidence.’ 

JoTa+'s integrated approach – combining real life work experience with personal coaching and advice – is designed to systematically build young people's confidence and give them experience and practical tips that will help them in the world of work. 

‘Everything went easier when I started using the job application tips I was given,' says Kristof. ‘A more motivated appearance, maintaining your posture, and things like that. It all went much smoother.’ 

Supported by the ESF, JoTa+ allowed Kristof to follow an intensive ‘work activation’ course with the vzw aPart team. He was able to undertake training in a real workplace, explore different sectors, and participate in training courses. He was also able to visit different companies for advice and experience and received intensive individual guidance – including job application and personal care training. As a result, Kristof now has a much better idea of who he is and what he is capable of. 

‘The project helps you to get know yourself better. You find out what it is you would actually like to do. Do I prefer manual work, or work with my brain?’ he explains. ‘And that's how I finally found out that I would prefer to be working somewhere as a draftsman.’ 

So far, thanks to JoTa+, more than 180 young people have either moved on to sustainable employment, training, or to further opportunities. For Kristof, the choice – and his future – is clear. ‘For some people, it takes longer, [but] it was like that for me right away,’ he says. ‘It is now that you have to do something. Your talent works!’