Naomi Schreuer, Shunit Reiter, Dalia Sachs, Yonat Ivzori, & Harold Pollack. A Career Education and Vocational Transition Program: “SUPER – Successful Pathways to Employment for youth at Risk” 

The purpose of this study is to design and implement the “SUccessful Pathways to Employment for youth at Risk” (SUPER) program and to examine its contribution to the transition of at-risk youth into continuing education or employment. The program’s contribution will be analyzed in terms of: A) evidence regarding its effectiveness; B) its practical recommendations; and C) its conceptual multidisciplinary framework. With respect to A), four major outcome measures will be used: 1) knowledge related to employability; 2) occupational self-identity (OSA); 3) future orientation; and 4) work capacities and skills. Scores in these measures will be compared at the start and upon conclusion of the program (pre-post) and between SUPER program participants and a control group. An additional long term follow up measure, namely, plans and actions toward career life, will be used one year after completion of the program. Research Questions: 1) Are there significant pre-post differences in terms of the four research outcome measures among a heterogeneous sample of at-risk youth following participation in the ‘SUPER’ program? 2) Are there significant differences between participants in SUPER and the control group with respect to the four research outcome measures? 3) Following graduation from the program, what are the students’ aspirations, plans and actual actions with respect to employment, further studies, and military/national service?

Naomi Schreuer
University of Haifa, Israel

Shunit Reiter
University of Haifa, Israel

Dalia Sachs
University of Haifa, Israel

Yonat Ivzori
University of Haifa, Israel

Harold Pollack
University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration