SKILLS FACTORY

In this Skills Factory podcast, student in engineering Elimon Dingwiza shares his unique educational journey, leading us to question the relevance of formal education for today’s young people.

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Elimon attended several schools before dropping out in an attempt to satisfy his thirst for knowledge beyond standard curricula. He excelled in self-guided learning, highlighting a gap between education systems and students’ potential. He eventually enrolled in Politecnico di Torino to gain new opportunities to develop his skills.

The conversation emphasises the importance of curiosity, self-discovery, and the pursuit of one’s passions. It offers an empowering message to young people, encouraging them to explore their own interests and to break through the boundaries of current education systems.

Host: Maria Lvova Zolotarevskaya

In this episode we discuss the impact of generative artificial intelligence on education system overall and on teachers in particular.

We specifically discuss following question:

How fare will the job of a teacher change in the future?

What are the risks and opportunities of AI tools in education? 

How can we ensure that the access to generative Artificial Intelligence tools is equally available for people living in developing countries?

Do policy makers really understand the urgency of adapting education systems to the rapid changes brought by AI?

Don't miss this though provoking conversation with Guy Levi, expert in innovative pedagogies from Israel, and Fabio Nascimbeni from European Training Foundation.

Host: Maria Lvova Zolotarevskaya, ETF

In this episode, the discussion revolves around the artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on the labour market and education. We delve into various aspects, including societal fears towards AI in different countries, the historical context of automation in Japan, the potential for AI to address labor shortages, and the future of unpaid household work. 

The conversation also explores the individual perspective, offering advice on employability in the age of AI-dominated recruitment processes. 

Don't miss this insightful conversation with Vili Lehdonvirta from Oxford University and the author of the book “Cloud Empires: How digital platforms are overtaking the state and how we can regain control” and Iwona Ganko from European Training Foundation.

Host: Maria Lvova Zolotarevskaya, ETF

In the 30th episode of the Skills Factory podcast, titled “Platform work: digital futures” we discuss the growing influence of digital platforms (e.g. Uber, Airbnb, Deliveroo) in the labor market and the implications for individuals, businesses, and society.

The guest speakers are Vili Lehdonvirta from Oxford University and the author of the book “Cloud Empires: How digital platforms are overtaking the state and how we can regain control” and Iwona Ganko from European Training Foundation.

We explore the impact of digital platforms on work and skills, with a focus on the expansion of remote work, the challenges and benefits of platform-based employment, the role of gender and the risks for economic inequality of platform workers. 

The episode provides insights into the impact of digital platforms for the nature of work and emphasises the need for proactive measures to address the concerning dynamics of the labor market.

Host: Maria Lvova Zolotarevskaya

#EuropeanYearofSkills #Skills4Change

In this 29th episode of the Skills Factory podcast series, we deep-dive into skills development initiatives run by the EU in its neighbouring countries. While the European Year of Skills is moving at full speed, it is essential to stop and clarify how skills are contributing to creating a better planet.

What is Europe doing to make sure that investments in education are worth it, and that no one is left behind? Are initiatives promoting mobility to the benefit of all, sending countries included? To know more about this, and unpack the complexities of our fast-changing world, join this podcast conversation with Mathieu Bousquet, Acting Director at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations.

This podcast episode will also tackle myths about initiatives and investments: is it true or false that the EU is investing more in non-EU countries? Are funds to Ukraine taken from funds allocated to other regions? Is it true that education can help shaping a country’s policies? So if you’re curious, start listening now and don’t stop until the very end!

Host: Daria Santucci

#Skills4Change #EuropeanYearOfSkills

In this 28th episode of the Skills Factory podcast series, we delve into the ever-changing world of work. As new professions are emerging at a rapid pace, it is crucial to consider the skills that will be needed to navigate our evolving landscape.

Do we adequately prepare today’s young people for the jobs in the coming decades? To answer this question, join our conversation with ETF expert Francesca Rosso who talks about the skills required to thrive in a new world and the way education and training should adapt to equip individuals with the skills of the future.

Although we do not possess a crystal ball, we examine what we currently know about the jobs of the future and how labour markets have been shaped by the Covid outbreak, the economic crisis and overall instability. And for our listeners in their early twenties who may be wondering how to secure a job for themselves in an ever-changing landscape, we share some key recommendations and essential steps to take.

Host: Maria Lvova Zolotarevskaya

#Skills4Change #EuropeanYearOfSkills

In the 27th episode of the Skills Factory podcast series, Pilvi Torsti, Director of the European Training Foundation, discusses the global crisis facing education today and the urgent issues that educators and learners need to address. What does it mean to have a global vision of education and how could it be one of the solutions to re-build a fit-for-purpose and inclusive education system? The conversation provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing education and training systems worldwide, including the impact of artificial intelligence.

#EuropeanYearOfSkills #Skills4Change

Green skills are crucial to make the green transition happen and create a sustainable future. But what are they, and what are our most common misconceptions about them?

• Are they relevant for rich countries only?
• Or for specific industries only?
• Are they closely associated with male-dominated jobs?

In addition, we’ve used ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, to ask a question on the topic:

• How can we ensure that the green skills developed today remain relevant in the rapidly evolving technological landscape of the green economy?

In this 26th episode of our Skills Factory podcast series, the ETF’s expert Romain Boitard highlights the importance of green skills in our lives, as well as the misconceptions we hold about them.

#Skills4Change #EuropeanYearOfSkills

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), one of the biggest investors in EU neighbouring countries, provides development loans to both governments and private companies. 

It was one of the first banks to make social inclusion and equality a prerequisite to being awarded a loan. 

But how is this policy implemented across EBRD very diverse geographical regions and contexts? Also,

❓ How can skills development help us to build more inclusive businesses that support our societies in becoming more fair and just?

❓ How does the European Training Foundation (ETF) work to help governments, institutions and companies make informed decisions to help build more inclusive societies?

Listen to this 25th episode of our Skills Factory podcast series, in which we discuss these important issues with Biljana Radonjic Ker-Lindsay, EBRD Associate Director, and Cristina Mereuta, ETF Expert.

Economic crises can have a significant impact on education. When the economy is in a downturn, government revenues typically decrease, leading to budget cuts for services, including education. This can result in reduced funding for schools and universities, leading to larger class sizes, fewer resources, and less support for students and teachers. Additionally, during an economic crisis, unemployment rates tend to rise, which can make it more difficult for graduates to find their first job.

Furthermore, economic crises can also lead to increased poverty, which can negatively affect students' academic performance and make it more difficult for them to succeed in transition from school to work.

❓ What are the 3 biggest consequences of the COVID-19 crisis on the education and labour markets of the EU’s neighbouring countries?

❓ How can we make sure that after a series of socio-economic crises, we build more inclusive and resilient education and training systems?

❓ What are the lessons learnt of this crisis and what's coming next?

Listen to the new episode of the Skills Factory where we will discuss these questions together with Martina Lubyova, an expert in skills development, and Cristina Mereuta, an expert from the European Training Foundation.

#Skills4Change #EuropeanYearOfSkills

In 2021 there were 23.7m migrants in the EU and since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, nearly 8m additional Ukrainian citizens have fled to the EU as refugees.

All these people could be effectively incorporated into the European labour market, helping to contribute to the bloc's economic growth.  But when it comes to recognising the skills that migrants bring with them, what are the challenges that need to be addressed?

❓ What could be done better to recognise their full potential?

❓ How can we ensure that migrants' skills help to solve major economic and social problems?

❓ How can Europe better integrate the migrant labour force to mitigate the impact of its ageing population?

❓ Do EU neighbouring countries suffer the effects of 'brain drain' as a consequence of their most educated citizens emigrating to the EU?

❓ Could closing the borders avoid 'brain drain'?

Listen to the new episode of the Skills Factory where we will answer all these questions together with Ummuhan Bardak, an expert in the skills dimension of migration from the European Training Foundation.

#Skills4Change #EuropeanYearOfSkills

Career guidance can be referred to in many different ways. You might have heard of ‘career counselling’, ‘career development’, ‘career management’, ‘careers information, advice and guidance’, ‘vocational counselling’ or ‘vocational guidance’.

Whichever name it goes by, the objective of career guidance is to help people of all ages manage their careers and guide them in making the educational, training and occupational choices that are meaningful for them.

But, in reality, are career guidance services doing a good job?

❓ Are our parents best placed to advise on career choices rather than advisors?

❓ Should career guidance services start working earlier to help young people think about their career choices?

❓ What are the most important aspects to consider when deciding on a career?

❓ How often will we change our professions during our lifetime and can career guidance support each change?

Listen to the new episode of the Skills Factory where we will answer all these questions, debunk some of the most common myths about career guidance and discover what it means to be a professional career advisor.  Joining us is Liana Amiraghyan, a career guidance advisor from Armenia and Florian Kadletz, an expert in career guidance from the European Training Foundation.

#GlobalCareersMonth #CareerGuidance

When we talk about the transition from school to work, we refer to an important and hopefully exciting time in all young people’s lives – the moment when they can find a job that enables them to put into practice all the skills they have acquired throughout their education and training.  But how can we ensure young people leave education with the right skills to succeed in today’s labour market?

• What do we really know about the transition from school to work?
• Are new graduates equipped with the skills they need for the world of work?
• What tools can we use to assess the relevance of today’s training programmes?

We discuss all these issues and more in the new episode with Martino Rubal Maseda, expert involved with Palestinian tracer studies, and Eva Jansova, expert from the European Training Foundation. 

The global pandemic has shown how the concept of education can change from one day to the next, and has forced educators around the world to find new ways to teach outside the physical classroom.

• What are the lessons learnt from the global emergency?
• What are the real costs of online teaching?
• Has the level of investment in terms of the purchase of devices, internet access and time needed to switch to online, been worth it?
• And last, but not least, if a new global emergency were to happen tomorrow, would we be better prepared for it?

We discuss all these issues in the new podcast "Online teaching and learning: a journey worth the investment?" with Merab Labadze, Expert and Director of Innovative Education Foundation, Georgia and Fabio Nascimbeni, expert in innovative teaching from European Training Foundation.

#Skills4Change #EuropeanYearOfSkills

In the 19th episode of the Skills Factory podcast we speak about challenges that young people are facing when looking for a job and what are the main mechanisms that public authorities are introducing in the EU and beyond to tackle those challenges.

In this conversation we will focus on an initiative called Youth Guarantee.

What is it? What does it guarantee? And to whom?

We answer these questions together with Cristina Mereuta, expert from European Training Foundation, and Dikensa Topi, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at Tirana EYC 2022 - National Youth Congress of Albania.

#EYY2022 #Skills4future #Skills4Change

The share of young people not in education, training nor in employment, or so called NEETs, is around 10% in the EU, with the highest rates in Italy, Greece and Spain, and the lowest rates in the Nordic countries. In the EU Neighbourhood, the share of NEETs varies between 20% and 35%.

What does having too many NEETs actually mean for the economy and society?

What are the reasons behind the decision to stay away from education and employment? How often is it a voluntary decision?

Is there a formula that public authorities could use to increase participation of youth into the education and labour markets?

Listen to our in-depth discussion with Ummuhan Bardak, ETF expert, in the 18th episode of Skills Factory.

In this episode we talk to Iryna Shumik from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and to Olena Bekh, Human Capital Development Expert from the European Training Foundation.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine that started on 24 February 2022 has, according to the UN, affected the lives and wellbeing of more than 5.7 million school-aged children.  The deadly armed conflict has resulted in a severe problems with access to schooling and education.

But at the end of April, president Zelensky formed the National Council for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, giving policy makers a clear signal to look ahead to the rebuilding of everything that has been destroyed during the military activities, including all education and training facilities.

So what could the green (re)construction of education and training actually look like in Ukraine in the coming months and years?
#StandWithUkraine

When is the right moment to start thinking about the rebuilding and reopening of the education system in Ukraine?

How long will it take for the teaching process to get back to normal?

And what role can international donors play? And who should be in the lead?

We discuss this with two people who took part in the rebuilding of education in Kosovo, Dr Anton Gojani from the Austrian Development Agency and Anthony Gribben, senior human capital development expert at the ETF.

#WeStandWithUkraine

How can the inclusive education help students to find a better job after the graduation?

What was impact of COVID-19 pandemic on including students from the disadvantaged background?

What role does the personalized training path play in including everyone into the learning?

We find answers to those questions with Paolo Nardi, Cometa, Italy and discussed on what it takes to make an education institution inclusive.

In this episode we discuss the impact of war on education.

The Russian aggression in Ukraine has led to the interruption of education and learning throughout the country.

So what might education and training in Ukraine look like in the future? And most importantly, how and when will the rebuilding process start?

As an example, we look at the armed conflict that happened in Kosovo nearly 25 years ago and try to understand what it takes to keep education going in the context of military actions, and what will it take to re-open the education when the shooting stops?

We discuss it with two people that took part in the rebuilding of education in Kosovo, Dr Anton Gojani from the Austrian Development Agency and Anthony Gribben, human capital development expert at the ETF.

#WeStandWithUkraine