Evaluating the effectiveness of training courses for basic qualification for occupational re-entry, empowerment and self-determination.

Participants with psychiatric disorders attended a one-year course on basic qualifications and empowerment for occupational re-entry. The main elements of the course were empowerment topics and training of self-determination. On behalf of the psychiatric disorders data sets were collected in a narrative manner.

A total of 28 people were enrolled in the study. 57.2% of the participants were male and 42.8% female. Male mean age was 34.2a and female 33.3a (p>0.050). Among other psychiatric disorders 45.5% of the participants showed problems with alcohol. Before the programme 100% of the participants were jobless. The retention rate after one year was 9.1%. 27.3% could be placed in kind of a occupational training. The same rate of participants could get into a job after the one-year course. Participants judged self-determination significant higher after the one-year course. Training costs amounted to 4.867Euro/Person/year.

A high percentage of the study participants could be re-integrated into the working market. Basic qualification and empowerment programmes could be an effective tool for people with mental disorders regarding social and occupational issues.