FAST TRACK - Helping Adults Identify and Get on the Right Career Path

Digital transformation had an important impact on the labour market force and made it a fast-changing environment which was made even more difficult by the challenges caused by the pandemic and it highlighted how important it is for adults to receive appropriate career counselling. The project addressed the adults’ need for assistance choosing proper educational programs and navigating a fast-changing labour market. Also, the project addressed a need to modernise the learning programmes and provide users with the tools they can use in their own time at their own pace. As digital transformation impacted the labour market force the need for it to impact learning methods arose, so the project addressed that need by implementing ICT features. As we live in the post-pandemic times, with many people working from home and more people using technology and online courses, the need to create an environment for job seekers and stakeholders to meet was noticed and was addressed by the project. In summary, this project encouraged professional growth and adaptability in the context of economic, technological, and social challenges by addressing the diverse demands of individuals and organisations in an environment that is changing fast.

We aimed at improving the overall quality of training and mentoring for improving Career Management Skills (CMS). The aim was to provide career guidance practitioners and tutors with the tools necessary to implement Career Management Skills (CMS) while utilising certain features of modern ICT. We identified and developed teaching and learning approaches, methods, and resources that effectively support the development of CMS as transversal key competencies. The self-assessment tool which helps users identify the learning way that best suits them as well as to see their progress was developed. The online tool, together with the “In the Fast Lane” manual, is the perfect blend of f-2-f and online learning that incorporates modern methods in teaching and learning as well as new technologies. Also, to help them navigate the materials, a training model for educators and career guidance practitioners was developed. In this way, the project helped, not only the Gen Y and current generation seeking employment or career change but also to improve the future readiness of adult learning systems, significantly scaling them up and reaching adults most at risk of being left behind by the digital transformation.

All project partners brought together their experience and expertise to implement project activities and achieve the project objectives and all planned results. The MOOC for developing a career management set of skills was established and partners identified 12 modules and developed different types of materials and interactive resources to help users develop those skills. The self-assessment tool is available to all users at the start of using the content on the MOOC to identify the level of their knowledge for each module and help them navigate the MOOC in a way that is best suited for them and will help them develop their skills. At the end of each module, users can take a self-assessment quiz and compare it to the result, they got at the beginning to see their progress for that module. The MOOC was tested internally and externally with a total of 119 participants. Other than the MOOC platform developed for users (Gen Y) to use on their own and at their own pace, the manual for face-to-face course on transversal skills was developed. The manual is, as well as MOOC, the introduction to career management skills but designed for career guidance practitioners and tutors. This manual was used during the piloting phase in each partner country with 119 participants in total. To deliver the piloting program effectively and provide career guidance practitioners and teachers with useful tools to implement CMS, a new training model for face-to-face and online delivery was created. This model was delivered during the C1 activity in Rijeka, Croatia to 10 participants. All developed materials and resources were translated into every partner language and are available for further use, even after the project's completion.

The project has delivered concrete outputs and other results aimed at improving career guidance, counselling, coaching, and related forms of support for employers and their employees. Major results of the project include: MOVE UP – A MOOC developed for adults to develop CMS, featuring online CMS training modules containing lessons and different types of interactive resources and self-assessment tools. IN THE FAST LANE – An introduction to Career Management manual designed for educators and career guidance practitioners for face-to-face courses on transversal skills for adults. LEAD THE WAY – A training model developed for educators and career guidance practitioners for both face-to-face and online delivery of the planned pilot program. This training provided educators and practitioners with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct workshops and deliver training to the GEN Y target group, using digital supportive resources and training modules. In addition to these project results, dissemination activities were conducted throughout the project implementation period, Newsletters were created and in the last months of the project implementation multiplier events were organised in each partner country. The project has emphasised a combination of "learning" and "doing" to promote critical thinking and motivation strategies among learners, therefore impacting the career opportunities of young adults from different educational and social backgrounds. To address the challenges caused by the pandemic and the shift to the digital era, all education packages developed through the project are available as open-source online resources, promoting digital literacy for both trainers and learners. Throughout the 28 months of project implementation, the most valuable resources developed are being retained, categorised, and shared with individuals and the private sector, even after the project's official end date.