Building skills and self-confidence of NEETs through podcasts

The project partners of PODSQUAD developed education and training interventions with the aim to successfully reintegrating young people into the labor market. During the initial needs analysis, in...

Many policies and reports detailed the competences and attributes NEETs lacked, but they often missed that NEETs were digital natives, confident and competent in online environments. PODSQUAD aimed to support NEETs by recognizing their skills, addressing self-confidence and well-being concerns, and allowing them to express their views through podcasting. The project's core objective was to help NEETs recognize their skills and use podcasting to share their expertise from their hobbies. PODSQUAD partners saw podcasting as a future economic sector and aimed to prepare NEETs to exploit this growth. The innovative PODSQUAD model integrated NEETs into education, training, and potential self-employment through podcasting. Partners chose this model because NEETs might not realize their potential as professional podcasters. PODSQUAD's goal was to develop a replicable learning model for youth providers. Youth workers trained in the program would create podcasts on topics pertinent to NEETs. The project initially piloted in the region aimed to build a model transferable nationwide and throughout Europe taking advantage of the innate competences of NEET youth, enhanced with the skills acquired through the project results.

Activities implemented under project management included: Partners signing partner agreements with SEAL; developing the Project Management Plan (SEAL), the Quality Assurance Plan (FIFTY-FIFTY), the Impact Plan (T4E), the Promotional Strategy (INNETICA), the project logo (FIP), and the project website (FIP). All documents were shared through the common share folder for the project (DropBox and Google Drive), and partners regularly updated their allocated documents and online platforms throughout the project implementation. Partners successfully completed their recurrent financial, administrative, promotion, and quality reports; established and met with their local advisory groups and FIP ensured the project website was live and operational in all partner languages. Newsletters were produced and promoted with local stakeholders, and the first transnational partner meeting took place in Ireland along with the C1 Blended Mobility of Young People. INNETICA drafted the Sustainability Plan for PODSQUAD. The third newsletter was produced and promoted with local stakeholders, and the second transnational partner meeting took place in Spain along with the C2 Short Term Joint-Staff Training Event in Greece. By Month 24, all partners completed their 24-month financial, administrative, promotion, quality, and impact reports. Project partners made final revisions and updates to the Project Management Plan (SEAL), the Quality Assurance Plan (FIFTY-FIFTY), the Impact Plan (T4E), the Promotional Strategy (INNETICA), and the project website (FIP). The fourth newsletter was produced and promoted with local stakeholders, the PODSQUAD Workshops took place in each country, along with the Final Conference in Cyprus in Month 24. In terms of Project Results: The learning outcomes were drafted for all 4 Project Results, the structure of the Online Space (PR4) was signed off by all partners, the Terms of Reference for the CoP were agreed, and FIP, with support from all partners, established the Community of Practice (CoP) with NEETs who attended the C1 Event in Ireland. Relevant PRs were tested with members of the local advisory committees. The content for PR1, PR2, and PR3 was first drafted in English and became ready for translation and production. FIP updated the Online Space with relevant project materials. In the second year of the project implementation, all PRs were translated, produced in all languages, and uploaded to the Online Space. Youth professionals who attended the C2 Event in Greece were also invited to join the Community of Practice. Afterwards, partners delivered the in-service training program to additional youth workers, piloted the PR2 resources among NEETs in each country, and delivered the PR3 curriculum to young people with NEET status in each country.

PR1 – The PODSQUAD In-service Training Programme for Youth Workers The in-service training program ensured that youth professionals acquired the necessary skills to train NEETs in podcast production. This included supporting NEETs in using common media devices like smartphones to research and record their podcasts, and open-source software such as Audacity to edit and produce them. PR2 – My Mental Health Toolkit of Resources PODSQUAD partners developed a suite of cartoons and self-help resources specifically for NEETs to help them manage their mental health and well-being. The topics for these resources were proposed by NEETs who participated in the C1 Transnational Training Event in Ireland, ensuring the structure, format, and content effectively supported their mental well-being. PR3 – Embedded Learning through Podcasts Curriculum The Embedded Learning through Podcasts Curriculum used a range of bespoke learning approaches to engage NEETs and build their confidence and digital competences. Key skill areas developed included a sense of initiative, critical thinking, research skills, and organizational skills, while embedded-learning resources focused on literacy, numeracy, teamwork, and communication skills. All podcasts produced by NEETs were promoted through the PODSQUAD Online Space, empowering disengaged NEETs with low self-esteem to have their voices heard and their podcasts showcased online. This had a significant impact on their self-confidence, personal development, and well-being, helping to address social and psychological barriers to their full participation in civic, social, and economic life in Europe. PR4 – Online Space and Community of Practice PODSQUAD partners developed an Online Space (MOOC) to provide access to the My Mental Health resources, the PODSQUAD Curriculum, and the in-service training resources. The platform also included a space for NEETs and youth workers to upload and share their podcasts with the world. This section of the MOOC will be monitored and updated for one year after the project ends, allowing time for potential followings of podcasts to develop. In addition to these project results, PODSQUAD achieved several additional outcomes for NEETs, including: A change in attitude toward education and educators, facilitated by establishing a Community of Practice between NEETs and youth workers through the Online Space. Increased awareness among youth professionals regarding the barriers and obstacles NEETs face to engagement. A renewed sense of self, purpose, and confidence among NEETs who participated in the project. Better outcomes for NEETs in the communities by recognizing their strengths and developing an education model that suited their needs, rather than forcing them to conform to mainstream education mechanisms.