The main objective of the EMLT +AI project was to develop a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive career guidance model to reduce the gap between education and employment, especially for NEETs and young jobseekers. The project aimed to enhance early career awareness through digital tools, reduce education–employment mismatch via an AI-based job recommendation system, and support personalized mentoring between youth and professionals. By offering digital CV tools, job-readiness training, and links to business networks, it sought to improve employability and visibility of disadvantaged youth in the labor market. Furthermore, the project initiated cross-sectoral cooperation and built an adaptable institutional model for wider European use. In addition, the research phase aimed to explore the root causes of education–employment mismatch and develop policy recommendations. Creating awareness about this mismatch was also a key goal. Ultimately, the project demonstrated how AI and mentoring can drive inclusion, career ownership, and labor market resilience.
The EMLT +AI project was developed as a strategic response to a set of interconnected challenges observed both at the national and European levels, particularly in relation to youth unemployment, NEET inclusion, and the education and skills mismatch between educational outputs and labor market needs.• To develop and implement an AI-based career matching platform capable of providing dynamic job recommendations to young people, NEETs, and recent graduates. • To pilot a mentorship model where young participants could engage with experienced professionals to build realistic career plans. • To design a set of online training and self-assessment modules that help participants build digital CVs and improve their employability. • To facilitate corporate partnerships that would open internship and job opportunities to project participants. • To build an evidence-based, replicable model that could inform both policy and practice in career education and youth empowerment across Europe.The project aimed to match young people with expert mentors and companies using an AI-based system that supports early career awareness by aligning education, skills, and interests with sector-specific opportunities