A bridge for NEETwork

"<< Background >>The decision to present the B4NEETwork project proposal was made in response to a system of needs that emerged on a distinct double level, which, however, intersect with each other. On the one hand, the needs coming from entrepreneurial realities were examined, which struggle to find HR as they require transversal skills (soft and hard) that are not possessed by the candidates; on the other hand, the category of young NEETs aged 18-29 who do not have a professional commitment, instead need adequate specialist training that allows them to access the world of work, also thanks to the awareness of what needs to be developed /consolidate to be in line with market needs.The macro-need identified, therefore, to which the B4NEETwork project responded effectively, is represented by the urgent need to fill the existing gap between needs and skills and by the need to create, therefore, a route of access to the world of work by the NEET target aged 18-29, through training and the creation of an innovative training path.<< Objectives >>The B4NEETwork project contributed to the creation of a link between the NEET target group aged 18-29 and an efficient placement within the labor market, launching a training program focused on the development of transversal skills and resources and tools to support young NEETs looking for a job. The first objective of the project was to identify the training needs necessary for the inclusion of the reference target in the labor market at national and European level; the second objective achieved was the development of the soft and hard skills necessary for the target audience to enter the job market, through the specialized training course. In general, the project aimed to reduce the mismatch in the labor market through the creation of solid digital skills/soft skills and an innovative alliance between the world of research, businesses and young NEETs, developing the ""knowledge triangle"" and a model innovative training program that can be replicated in Europe, capable of preventing the mismatch (""human deficit"" of HR) to the benefit of employability, self-entrepreneurship and renewed dialogue between the business world and young NEETs.<< Implementation >>1) Applied research (194 young people aged 18-29, of which 90 Italian NEETs and 104 young Lithuanian young people; 64 companies of which 30 Italian and 34 Lithuanian) to strengthen the so-called ""knowledge triangle"": a connection between the academic world, learners and labor market to analyze the causes of the mismatch. The direct and indirect research involved an accurate definition of a set of research tools (Guidelines, Vademecum, Questionnaires) effectively focused on the targets;2) Data analysis, collection and publication of best practices and lessons learned: the ANCL Study Center and SMe System proceeded with a careful analysis of reporting and statistical data on: Italian and Lithuanian labor markets; Hard and soft skills both in the young NEET target aged 18-29 and in the young Lithuanian target aged 18-29; Research and mapping of projects and good practices regarding professional training courses aimed at the target;3) Creation of training courses/entrepreneurial Labs for young NEETs aged 18-29 in Italy (Rome and Cosenza) and Focus Groups in Lithuania (Vilnius) with young people aged 18-29 for further information on access to the world of work in self-entrepreneurial key and exchange of good practices with Italy. << Results >>1) Acquisition of digital skills for the target group: ability to know how to use IT tools in everyday working life, regardless of the company function to which they belong; acquisition of specialist ICT skills; acquisition of e-Leadership skills: which characterize those who associate particular aptitudes and talents with digital culture which allow them to imagine certain paths of change and contextualise them in their own organisations. These skills were obtained through 1 innovative training course and entrepreneurial labs;2) Collection of data on the skills required by the labor market and those possessed by Italian NEETs aged 18-29 and Lithuanian young people aged 18-29;3) Methodological innovation of professional education practices, starting from applied research;4) Strengthening the connection between the business world and the entities that provide professional training;5) 1 scalable model for responding to and managing the market mismatch between companies (with their requests in terms of soft and hard skills) and young people, in particular NEETs, who are often unaware of what the market requires them to know and be able to do."