One of Hardanger Fartøyvernsenter's primary purposes is to provide young people who, for one reason or another find themselves at odds with society, the opportunity to start anew. Here they can show their positive side through practical work. The main purpose is that the student, after his or her stay at HFS, will have distanced him or herself from drugs and criminal activities, rebuilt their self-respect, be ready and able to return to society at large, take a job or go back to school and function well socially.

Work training at the boatyard and on S/J Mathilde

Special instructors provide the young students with training in the use of tools and carpentry skills. The students are otherwise integrated as a natural part of the Centre's work team and carry out useful and productive tasks. The goal is that they will be capable of either entering the work force or continuing their education when they leave the Hardanger Fartøyvernsenter. We have developed a good working model for youth work, in that we provide total encompassing follow- up services for the students in their homes, work and/or school situations, as well as in their leisure time activities. Here, as in all our activities at the Centre, we try to attain and maintain the highest possible standards in all we do. We believe that it is extremely important that our young students experience quality both at work and in play. We are also convinced that the good working environment at the Centre, where all concerned are willing and happy to contribute in a positive manner, also has a very positive effect.

Youth work at HFS is carried out under the supervision of the Regional County Commissioner of Hordaland.

Our target group is
-youths between 16 and 25 years.
-youths that have problems in conjunction with social behaviour, criminality and drug abuse of varying degrees.
-youth that themselves realise that they need help and support to straighten out their lives