SCALE-UP

Scaling-up Skills for Strenghtening Inclusion and Youth Employability

SCALE-UP

Scaling-up Skills for Strenghtening Inclusion and Youth Employability

Youth Unemployment

According to the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) of the European Parliament, in the report Youth in Europe: Effects of COVID-19 on their economic and social situation (2021), in the EU-27, 1.1 million young people aged 15-24 and another 1.02 million aged 25-29 lost their jobs between the fourth quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2021. Youth employment for the age group 15-24 fell from 33.4 % to 31.2 %, while the decline in overall employment rates (20-64) was less pronounced.

Young people were particularly affected by the crisis due to several reasons:

Young people’s employment was affected due to working in sectors heavily affected by lockdown and social distancing measures;
The pandemic also significantly affected their transition from school to work, as work-based learning opportunities and apprenticeships were severely impacted, leading to difficulties finding employment for recent graduates due to limited job vacancies.

Youth Unemployment

According to the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) of the European Parliament, in the report Youth in Europe: Effects of COVID-19 on their economic and social situation (2021), in the EU-27, 1.1 million young people aged 15-24 and another 1.02 million aged 25-29 lost their jobs between the fourth quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2021. Youth employment for the age group 15-24 fell from 33.4 % to 31.2 %, while the decline in overall employment rates (20-64) was less pronounced.

Young people were particularly affected by the crisis due to several reasons:

Young people’s employment was affected due to working in sectors heavily affected by lockdown and social distancing measures;
The pandemic also significantly affected their transition from school to work, as work-based learning opportunities and apprenticeships were severely impacted, leading to difficulties finding employment for recent graduates due to limited job vacancies.

AIMS

The SCALE-UP project aims to deepen and increase the acquisition of new skills in young jobseekers in order to provide them with new opportunities to position themselves in the labour market and to respond to the main priorities of the project: to strengthen the employability of young people and to increase the quality, innovation and recognition of youth work.

The purpose of the project is to provide customized blended, face-to-face and online training to young jobseekers to acquire the essential soft skills and knowledge necessary for today’s labour market, to increase the quality of their application and to improve their employability, with a special focus on Emotional Intelligence, Social and Emotional Skills, in particular Leadership, Green Transition and Circular Economy, finally Digital Communication Skills.

The SCALE-UP project aims to:

  • Intercepting the requirements of the labour market and the needs of young jobseekers;
  • Offer tools to assess the real potential of young people through an innovative iCMe framework that provides an analysis of their real skills and talents;
  • To offer personalised blended, face-to-face and online training to young jobseekers in order to increase the quality of their application and improve their employability.

Activities/Project Results

Report “Matching labour market and young jobseekers”

Comparative Analysis of Young Jobseekers and Companies’ Perspectives on Job Skills

In today’s dynamic job market, the demand for specific skills and qualifications can vary significantly across industries and regions. To gain insight into the perspectives of both young job seekers and companies, we conducted two surveys among three European nations: Spain, Italy, and Lithuania.

Collected results provide valuable insights into the perspectives of young jobseekers and companies. While job seekers prioritize adaptability, fast learning, and creativity, companies tend to emphasize specific skills relevant to their respective roles. The impact of COVID-19 on hiring preferences appears minimal, but adaptability and a capacity for learning are consistently valued by both job seekers and businesses, highlighting their importance in the contemporary job market.

By adopting the first project’s results, the skill assessment for young jobseekers will be developed.

Read our full report, “Matching labour market and young jobseekers” (IT, LT, ES)

Skill Assessment for Young Jobseekers

In November and December 2023, a skill assessment activity was conducted for young jobseekers through the CAMMIO BV online platform, a cloud-based video recruiting tool. This initiative was part of a broader project focused on enhancing youth employability, particularly for those with
fewer opportunities.

Key Activities:

  1. Interview Simulation: Participants engaged in simulated interviews on the CAMMIO BV platform, responding to pre-prepared questions that reflected the current demands of the labor market. These responses were evaluated by professionals from partner organizations.
  2. Training in Soft Skills: The activity provided jobseekers with insights into the latest skill requirements and ways to enhance their personal abilities. This training emphasized the importance of soft skills, which are increasingly critical in today’s job market.

Outcomes:

  1. Promoting Inclusion and Diversity: The project aimed to educate participants on the importance of Inclusion and Diversity, helping them understand its impact in the workplace and how to recognize and develop talent.
  2. Youth Empowerment: By improving their interaction and soft skills, participants became better equipped to meet employer expectations and improve their job performance.

Target Groups:

  1. Primary: Young jobseekers from Spain, Italy, and Lithuania, with 20 participants interviewed across these countries.
  2. Secondary: Staff from partner organizations, who also benefited from exposure to innovative employability assessment methods.

Overall, the project contributed to narrowing the soft skills gap in the labor market, promoting equality, and enhancing the employability of young jobseekers.

Find the report in English, Italian, Spanish and Lithuanian.

SCALE-UP Online Training

The SCALE-UP Online Training initiative was developed in response to the identified skill gaps between the needs of companies and the competencies of young jobseekers. Based on questionnaire results from both employers and jobseekers, the project revealed a critical need to
align the skills of young professionals with the expectations of the labor market.

Key Activities:

  1. Needs Assessment: Questionnaires were distributed to companies and young jobseekers to identify essential competencies. The results indicated a significant demand for skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, digital proficiency, emotional intelligence, and leadership.
  2. Online Training Course: In response to these findings, a comprehensive online training program was created. The course was designed to equip young jobseekers with the following key competencies:
  3. 1. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Enhancing the ability to analyze situations and develop effective solutions.
  4. 2. Digital Skills for the Labor Market: Providing the technical know-how necessary for today’s digital workplaces.
  5. 3. Emotional Intelligence: Developing the ability to understand and manage emotions, fostering better interpersonal relationships.
  6. 4. Leadership Competences: Cultivating the skills needed to lead teams effectively and inspire others.

Outcomes:

  1. Skill Enhancement: The training helped bridge the gap between the competencies sought by employers and those possessed by young jobseekers.
  2. Increased Employability: By focusing on these critical areas, participants became better equipped to meet the demands of the labor market, improving their chances of securing employment.

Target Groups:

  1. Primary: Young jobseekers who needed to improve their skills to match market demands.
  2. Secondary: Companies that will benefit from a more skilled and competent workforce.

The SCALE-UP Online Training program was instrumental in preparing young professionals for the labor market, ensuring they possess the necessary skills to succeed in a competitive environment.

Modules of the training:

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Digital skills for the labour market

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Scale-UP Final Event

The SCALE-UP Final Event, held in Milan, Italy on April 29, 2024, marked the culmination of the SCALE-UP project. This event brought together participants from Spain, Italy, and Lithuania to present the project’s results, foster networking opportunities, and discuss future initiatives aimed at improving youth employability and inclusion.

Key Activities:

  1. Presentation of Project Results: The event showcased the outcomes of the SCALE-UP project, highlighting its impact on youth employability and skill development.
  2. Workshops and Discussions: Participants engaged in interactive workshops focusing on key competencies such as critical thinking, digital communication, emotional intelligence, and leadership. These sessions were designed to enhance professional skills and promote
    best practices.
  3. Networking: The event facilitated connections between participants, youth workers, and representatives from various organizations, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and projects.

Outcomes:

  1. Enhanced Employability: The project significantly improved the employability of young jobseekers by equipping them with essential skills needed in today’s labor market.
  2. Support for Youth Workers: Youth workers from public and private entities gained valuable insights and tools to better support young jobseekers, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of youth training programs.
  3. Creation of a Sustainable Network: The event established a network of professionals and organizations committed to continuing the work started by the SCALE-UP project, ensuring the sustainability and dissemination of its outcomes.

Target Groups:

  1. Direct: Unemployed and low-qualified young people in precarious employment, as well as youth workers who serve as intermediaries between young people and employment opportunities.
  2. Indirect: Entities, companies, and organizations that benefit from the dissemination of the project’s results and activities.

Project Impact:

The SCALE-UP project has made significant strides in addressing youth unemployment by:

  1. Bridging the Skills Gap: Aligning young jobseekers’ skills with labor market demands through targeted training.
  2. Promoting Inclusion and Diversity: Ensuring that all young jobseekers, regardless of background, have access to opportunities.
  3. Supporting Economic Development: Contributing to the social and economic development of participating countries by fostering a more skilled and employable youth population.

Future Directions:

The event emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration and the development of new initiatives to continue supporting youth employability. Participants were encouraged to leverage the skills and networks developed during the project to further their professional growth and contribute to the broader goal of youth inclusion in the labor market.

Find the report in English, Italian, Spanish and Lithuanian.

SAY HI

Giulia Terracciano

European Project Manager

Sandra Matiusoviciute

Project Manager

Giuseppe Florio

Project Manager, Facilitator

Vicente Ferrero

Academic Coordinator