Project details
Overview:
Emerging Advanced Skills Youth (EASY) project is dedicated to enhancing employability and skill-building for disadvantaged youth, with a strong focus on those from rural and underserved areas across the EU. By directly addressing critical gaps in digital, adaptive, and soft skills, EASY seeks to equip young people with the essential tools needed to thrive in a rapidly transforming job market. The project was conceived in response to rising youth unemployment rates and an urgent need to align youth competencies with evolving labor demands, particularly for communities left out of the digital transformation. Through a combination of online courses, hands-on workshops, and transnational training bootcamps, EASY is more than just a skills program; it is a pathway to meaningful, lasting employment opportunities for young people who face structural challenges in entering and progressing within the workforce. EASY places particular emphasis on increasing digital literacy, adaptability, and resilience to equip youth for the modern workplace. With support from policymakers, employers, and community leaders, the project fosters a collaborative environment to ensure that youth gain not only employment but the foundation to contribute actively to their communities and economies. In addition to developing job-specific skills, EASY incorporates personal growth and soft skill development, focusing on building confidence, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. This multifaceted approach ensures participants are equipped to succeed in diverse, evolving work environments. The project also commits to long-term sustainability by creating open-access guides, a skills toolkit, and an interactive learning portal, ensuring that resources remain available to future youth cohorts and stakeholders alike.
Challenge:
Youth unemployment remains a major issue in the EU, exacerbated by the digital transformation and rapid shifts in skill demands. Disadvantaged groups, including rural youth, migrants, and NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), face significant barriers to employment due to limited digital and soft skills. This mismatch leaves many young people unprepared for current and future job opportunities, with rural youth particularly affected by a lack of access to digital skills and training.
Solution:
EASY addresses these challenges by creating an upskilling program tailored to emerging skills in high demand, such as digital readiness, resilience, and adaptive learning. The project includes activities like online courses, transnational bootcamps, and hands-on training for youth, combined with participatory assessments to align training materials with market needs. Additionally, EASY promotes policy recommendations and advocates for inclusive youth employment policies.
Objectives:
1. Bridge the Skills Gap: Develop tailored training to meet emerging labor market demands, focusing on digital and soft skills.
2. Empower Disadvantaged Youth: Provide disadvantaged youth with skills and knowledge to increase their employability and economic participation.
3. Advocate for Policy Change: Establish a dialogue with policymakers to foster inclusive employment practices.
4. Deliver Lasting Impact: Publish guides, toolkits, and a digital learning portal to ensure sustainable skill-building resources for ongoing youth development.
Project Website: https://www.emerging-advanced-skills-youth.eu/