Interwork between Generation Z and Employers Erasmus Project

Project Title

Interwork between Generation Z and Employers

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Research and innovation; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)

Project Summary

Context/background of the project
A survey conducted for the European Business Forum on Vocational Training (Brussels, 2014) concluded “Employers, education providers and youth live in parallel universes. Each have different diagnoses of the problems, because they do not engage with one another.” The purpose of the Erasmus+ iGEN project is to find ways of closing this gap by helping employers and young people to create an effective and successful work environment.
Objectives
The project was focused on two target groups: small and medium-sized enterprises and young people from Generation Z (GEN Z). The aim of the project was to investigate the needs, challenges and perceptions of SMEs and young people. The findings inform the development and implementation of a mentor-based training programme for young people and employers. There were following aims followed: (1) To research the needs, expectations and experiences of young people who are in education (e.g. school, college and university) or in employment. (2) To better prepare both young people for the world of work. (3) To help SMEs to understand the needs of and how to support young people as they enter the world of work. To achieve this, consortium of seven partners carried out a series of research activities exploring the perspectives of young people – GEN Z.
Number and profile of participating organisations
The project was prepared in close cooperation of partners form both former East and West European states. Seven countries were involved into collaboration:
– Czech university of life sciences Prague (CULS), Czech Republic.
– Dekaplus business services ltd, Cyprus, SME, consulting the business sector on introducing innovative practices and on applying good practices.
– Trebag, Hungary, SME, private company and living lab with huge network locally and regionally among stakeholders and actors in adult education.
– INNEO, Osrodek szkoleniowo-badawczy, Poland, SME, education, training and research for social and economic development.
– Instituto politecnico do Porto, Portugal, Higher education;
– Media creativa 2020, s.l. Spain, experience in the fields of social research, education and business management.
– Exponential training & assessment ltd., United Kingdom, SME, vocational education, training supplier operating in over 50 different countries worldwide and specialises in the following areas.
Description of undertaken main activities
Strong, well-established, prosperous relationship, and a cooperation (with a special focus on working environments) between employers and their (future) employees from Gen Z, based on deep understanding, acceptance, fluent communication, consciousness and grounded knowledge about one another, as well as practical experiences. To reach this objective, the project developed 3 intellectual outputs within a close collaboration among involved project partners and other relevant stakeholders. Implementation of the products were fully realized in accordance with planned activities in the proposal: Methodology, iGEN book, piloting of study materials, easy access to information materials on the Web and nets, teaching and multipliers events in all partners countries. The amount of companies, as well as GEN Z members involved, is appropriate in order to conduct an exhaustive and conclusive research, reflecting the reality of young people.
Results and impact attained
– GEN Z survey and Company survey (O1).
– Final completion of the Methodology (O1).
– iGEN handbook publishing and dissemination (O1).
– Development of Mentor training materials (O2).
– Development of GEN Z training materials (O3).
– Joint staff event (Cyprus, presentation of study materials within outputs of O2 and O3).
– Two Multiplier events in all partners countries (2017, 2019).
– Dissemination.
– Continual evaluation and quality assessment of the project activities.
If relevant, longer-term benefits
The iGEN programme played a significant role in the developing of the partnership and gathered competences and skills as a good base for collaboration and practical solutions of phases planned in the project. Each partner was in contact with persons who understand the benefit of the GEN Z projects: mentors in companies, teachers and trainers from VET schools. Within the mutual collaboration, all project partners achieved the innovative and complementary skills through learning each from another one, and shared examples of good practice.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 370281,28 Eur

Project Coordinator

CESKA ZEMEDELSKA UNIVERZITA V PRAZE & Country: CZ

Project Partners

• OSRODEK SZKOLENIOWO-BADAWCZY INNEO
• DEKAPLUS BUSINESS SERVICES LTD
• TREBAG SZELLEMI TULAJDON- ES PROJEKTMENEDZSER KORLATOLT FELELOSSEGU TARSASAG
• MEDIA CREATIVA 2020, S.L.
• INSTITUTO POLITECNICO DO PORTO
• Exponential Training & Assessment Limited