Sindbad Mentoring Program for Equal Opportunities
Since 2021, Sindbad Vorarlberg has been dedicated to promoting equal opportunities. The organization supports young people aged 13 to 19 as they transition from compulsory education to further training. As a project partner of Sindbad, the Hilti Foundation is particularly pleased that Hilti employees are also volunteering as mentors within the program.
After completing the 9th grade, young people in Austria face a crucial decision in their vocational training journey. They must choose whether to pursue an apprenticeship or continue their education at a higher school. Making an informed decision about their future requires understanding their options, gaining insights, and discovering what suits them best—something that is only possible with the right support.
"Many of us know how difficult it is to figure out what you want to do at 14 years old. For young people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, the options available to them are often unclear. At Sindbad, we want to empower young people during this critical transition, show them the opportunities available, and help them realize their full potential."
— Diana Panzirsch, Site Manager Sindbad Vorarlberg
Mentoring Program for a Self-Determined Career Path
As part of the Sindbad mentoring program, young people are paired with a mentor for 12 months, who supports them throughout the process. The mentors are working professionals or university students who volunteer their time. Through regular meetings, the mentor-mentee teams get to know each other better, engaging in activities such as bowling or visiting companies together, and planning for the future. They take concrete steps to implement this plan, such as writing application documents, preparing for interviews, or applying to higher education institutions, with the goal of successfully transitioning into further education or an apprenticeship. The success rate speaks for itself: 83% of mentees successfully transition into further education.
Volunteering Enhances Leadership Skills
The program brings together young people from different backgrounds. Young adults not only provide valuable guidance to their mentees but also have the opportunity to test and develop their own coaching and leadership skills. Sindbad also offers mentors the option to complete additional leadership training.
Manuel Gragl, Quality Manager at Hilti Thüringen
"I signed up for the Sindbad project because I wanted to engage in social work and develop myself personally. It's both exciting and challenging to understand the perspective of a young person. The goal of mentoring is to support the youth, whether with job applications, schoolwork, or simply being there as a buddy."
— Manuel Gragl, Quality Manager at Hilti Thüringen
Mentors benefit not only on a personal level but also in terms of their own professional development.
Successful Model Enters Its Fourth Round
Since the project began, 44 young people have successfully been supported in their educational journey over three cohorts. In November 2023, Sindbad Vorarlberg will launch its fourth cohort and is currently seeking suitable mentors. For the Hilti Foundation, this program is an important part of their commitment to "Self-Determined Living."
"We aim to create a positive social impact in Liechtenstein and the surrounding region through our initiatives. To ensure this impact is sustainable, we adhere to the principle of helping people help themselves. Sindbad is a project in Vorarlberg that embodies this principle: providing early support to enable young people to forge a successful future."
— Michelle Kranz, Managing Director Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein
Sindbad Social Business
Founded in Vienna in 2016, Sindbad is committed to equal opportunities. At Sindbad, people from different backgrounds come together and learn from each other through 1:1 mentoring programs. Young adults volunteer as mentors for young people aged 13 to 19, supporting them during the transition from compulsory education to further training. By 2022, around 3,570 young people had been guided on their path to a professional future. With eight locations across Austria, this number is expected to rise to 10,000 mentees by 2026.