In December 2024, a new and cross-industry project will launch in Merano, South Tyrol.

Schweitzer, the cooperative Promos, and the cultural and communication center ost west club est ovest have come together to create the first Handcraft-Lab in South Tyrol. This initiative aims to offer young people a program that brings together craftsmanship, social work, and cultural work under one roof.

The issue of school dropout is a challenge for adolescents and young people for various reasons and will have an impact on our society and especially on the future labor market. Not all young people find it easy to integrate into a school environment and may experience crises in their family or personal lives, which can lead them to stop attending school or pursuing any vocational training for a prolonged period. Statistics regarding the so-called NEETs (Youth Not in Employment, Education or Training) have also reached concerning levels in South Tyrol.

To counter this trend, three partners from different sectors have joined forces and are offering their program to all interested young people, parents, teachers, social educators, youth workers, and others who may be interested. 

Through the cooperative Promos, ESF projects have been managed for several years, where professionals accompany young people through various educational opportunities. Trained instructors will open the newly inaugurated workshop at the Merano cultural and communication center, located at Lidostraße 2 in Merano, for the Handcraft-Lab multiple times a week. Schweitzer has equipped the workshop with modern craft and work tools and is supporting the project with its decades of expertise in retail design and shop fitting. 

In a protected atmosphere, young people will have the opportunity to learn about different work processes, and, in collaboration with experts, can familiarize themselves with these workflows and try out the various tools and machines available. 

Young people who are permanently interested in a craft profession and wish to pursue further training after completing the Handcraft-Lab will have the opportunity to gain additional experience through an internship at Schweitzer. Ideally, they may even transition into a new professional environment.