A survey, conducted for the European Business Forum on Vocational Training (Brussels, 2014) concludes that „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 main goal of our project is to try and close this gap, building up cooperation between the two major players of job markets - employers and youth, creating an effective and successful work environment.Companies face several challanges due to changes in labor market trends, such as a trend of labor demand exceeding labor supply in the near future, or the already three different generations (baby boomers, X and Y) present in the labor market augmented with the new generation, so called Gen Z, recently entering the job market with whole new expectations, and so little known about. Our project’s 2 main target groups therefore are companies who already, or will have gen Z employees, and members of gen Z, with the aim of harmonizing the needs of both sides, and bringing effective solutions to help them be more prepared for the new ways of cooperation. Within companies, we have chosen small and medium sized companies (SMEs) as the primary target group, as, according to studies, gen Z prefer to work at SMEs rather than multinational companies, added to which, SMEs represent 99% of all businesses in the EU. We will involve HR managers, company owners, supervisors, team leaders and mentors in our project.We will conduct two exhaustive surveys using the methods of focus group sessions, semi-sructured interviews and questionnaires; one of them involving members of gen Z (16-21yrs) with relevant work experience, who are able to compare their expectations with existing conditions (which makes the research unexampled); and the other researching company demands and experiences with the generation. Our first intellectual output is a methodology providing methods, tools and best practices for SMEs to create an attractive, supporting and retaining working environment, based on the results of the gen Z survey and further research. It aims to help companies gain better understanding of the attitudes, motivators and drives of gen Z, learning how to support and motivate them to work more productively, how to satisfy their needs as employees and how to manage and deal with conflicts. The second intellectual output closely linked with the methodology is the Mentor training, developed based on our surveys of European SMEs’ and gen Z’s demands. A survey of The European Foundation for Management Development and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council reported that, while organizations are experiencing substantial benefits from their investments in this area, in-company mentoring is still a “work in progress”. Our project addresses this issue by focusing on in-company mentoring, as we believe it to be the bridge between education and work. The mentor training provides valuable knowledge and instructions on how to build a strong, two-leveled in company mentor program. Firstly, the mentor training focuses on developing the key competences mentors need in order to support the integration of new employees from gen Z appropriately. Secondly, the mentors will be trained to train future mentors as well, ensuring the system to be independently and autodynamically working. It will be available in all partner languages, covering all the steps needed to establish a mentor program, assuring the perpetuance of the project.The third intellectual output of the project is a soft skill training material produced for members of gen Z, based on the company survey and further research, prepared in a form adjusted to gen Z’s learning ways. This will help young employees to be more prepared for, and more confident and content at work, more assertive and able to solve problems due to understanding the demands of the job market and the working styles of older generations.Due to and besides these, we expect the employment rate of gen Z members to increase, the role of SMEs in the labor market and in the local and national industry to grow and the project conception and achievements to reach the decision makers of the educational sector, HR professionals and mentors of the companies, or similar organizations in partner countries. The partners’ extended networks, both embracing the corporate sector (P2, P3, P4) and the field of education (P1, P5, P6, P7), will be connected, raising a bridge over the gap which often divides the fields of education and industry.Ultimately, the main expected result of our project, as detailed above, is a strong, well-established, prosperous relationship, and a foundation of 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.
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.