Project title: SmartZine based resources for soft skills development of graduates for work and life (SOFTee)

Duration: 30.06.2021 - 29.06.2024

Project number: 2020-1-PL01-KA226-VET-095187

Programme: Erasmus +

Key Action: Cooperation in the field of adult education

Coordinator: University of Business and Health Sciences (WSBINOZ), Poland

Website: https://softeeproject.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/410420131989414

Keywords: emotional intelligence, soft skills, generation Z, digital education, professional development, teamwork, interpersonal skills

DESCRIPTION

In the age of advanced technology, everyday human interactions are becoming increasingly rare. Shopping, managing finances, making travel arrangements or communicating have moved into the digital sphere, which has significantly reduced face-to-face interactions between people. For older generations, such as Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y, who grew up in periods with less access to technology, adapting to modern tools was not difficult, as they already had established interpersonal skills. However, the situation is different for Generation Z, who grew up in a world where technology and social media are the norm and face-to-face communication is becoming rare.

Generation Z, known as ‘digital natives’, often lack key soft skills necessary to function effectively in the workplace. These skills include emotional intelligence, leadership, analytical thinking, interpersonal communication, problem solving, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure. Research shows that 37% of Generation Z believe that technology has weakened their ability to form strong interpersonal relationships (Stillman & Stillman, 2017). Furthermore, according to a 2018 study commissioned by McDonald's, employees value soft skills such as problem solving (95%), teamwork (94%) and verbal communication (94%) above all in their colleagues.

The SOFTee project aims to support young people from Generation Z in developing these skills. The educational resources developed in the SmartZine format, designed specifically for young people, are interactive and visually appealing. They not only help them to develop key soft skills, but also support their overall professional and personal development by adapting the content to modern labour market requirements. Thanks to the SOFTee project, young people will be better prepared to face professional challenges and their competences will be more relevant to employers' needs.

With the support of innovative educational tools, the SOFTee project aims to bridge the gap between the expectations of the labour market and the competences of generation Z.

PROJECT RESULTS

1. Creation of a set of innovative SmartZine materials developing soft skills.
2. Training 64 teachers and trainers in the use of modern educational tools.
3. Involvement of 800 digital natives (generation Z) in interactive educational materials.
4. Organisation of a closing conference in Poland and national campaigns in seven countries (Ireland, Cyprus, Germany, Latvia, Greece, Croatia, Italy), with the participation of 100 VET professionals.

PROJECT PARTNERS

• Future In Perspective Limited, Ireland
• Hauptstadtallee 239 V UG (Skills Elevation FHB), Germany
• Neophytos Ch Charalambous (Institute of Development Ltd), Cyprus
• Polygonal, Italy
• Callidus ustanova za obrazovanje odraslih, Croatia
• Social Youth Development Civil Nonprofit Society, Greece
• Latvijas Universitate, Latvia

How to contact us?

Contact the national coordinator:

Email: j.komorek@wsbinoz.pl, ceie@wsbinoz.pl