WAKEUP project focuses on reducing the gap between the Formal Education System and the labour market by providing students with the necessary preparation in terms of employability skills and labour market orientation, involving both companies and schools in this process. This will be achieved through the following specific objectives: SO1. To understand the vision and expectations of 12-18 year olds, their parents/guardians and teachers about the professional future and labour market inclusion possibilities of young people. SO2. To develop teachers' knowledge and skills on an innovative methodology in career guidance to help students design their academic and training itinerary according to their competences and skills. SO3. Raise awareness among students and their families about the reality of the labour market in European countries, the new skills and competences demanded in various digitised sectors relevant to sustainability and the academic or vocational training pathways available to achieve them. SO4. Bring students and the private sector closer together to generate a better understanding and connection of their realities, especially in rural areas, where there is a severe lack of social capital and career information.
We find deficiencies in the relationship between the education system and the labour market: - Transmission of erroneous beliefs about what the labour market currently values (OECD Enhancing Employability G20 Report) and the consequent clash between students' expectations and the reality of work - Lack of adaptation of training curricula to the real demands of companies - Lack of training in transversal competences - Lack of adaptation of teachers. An average of 10.2% (in 2019) of 18-24 year olds in the EU left education and training prematurely, which may lead to greater difficulties in the labour market. Secondary education must respond to two demands of the environment: on the one hand, to introduce the new labour market paradigm, the new technical and transversal skills demanded and aligned with the new Qualifications and jobs (European Skills Agenda 2020); and, on the other hand, to give students a realistic vision so that expectations are aligned with reality and they have sufficient knowledge for their decision making when it comes to continuing their professional development. These two challenges are at the core of the WAKEUP project and will be addressed by the project.