Press Release – How to prepare “Gen Z ” for the labor market? What are the new skills needed for future professions?
The “EfVET 2024 Conference” aims to address these challenges with experts, educators, and VET professionals.
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Amersfoort, Netherlands – The 33rd EfVET Annual Conference titled “Training the Gen Z: New Horizons for VET” will take place from October 23 to 26, 2024 in the historic city of Amersfoort. This prestigious event will bring together more than 320 international experts, educators, and professionals from the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector to explore how the next generation of learners, the “Generation Z”, can be prepared for the rapidly evolving workforce of the future. Gen Z brings potential for innovation by being technology natives, exposed to international culture, proficient with the tools of the digital world and already experiencing major challenges from the pandemic to a cultural paradigm shift, and the use of AI, VR, AR as tools also present in the field of work.
Meanwhile, technological advancements are innovating the landscape of future jobs, skills, and qualifications. The EfVET Conference 2024 aims at addressing those challenges in order to offer the delegates and the VET ecosystem concrete tools to successfully cope with the new emerging challenges in education and training. The event is designed for VET providers, policymakers, industry leaders, and educators dedicated to shaping the future of education and training in Europe. Delegates will have the opportunity to network, exchange knowledge, and gain insights into the latest trends affecting the VET ecosystem.
The venue, the Leerhotel Het Klooster, a learning company managed by VET learners, will give the real protagonists, Gen Z and Gen Alpha (the demographic cohort succeeding Generation Z), to have a voice and audience about their ambitions, ideas, expertise.
The conference will also feature leading voices in education and industry, including:
- Laureen Rwatirera, VP of Organization Development at ASML, delivering a keynote on “Will Gen Z Sustain a Net-Zero Living?”
- Nick Jordan from Vestas, presenting on global apprenticeship programs to attract Gen Z talent.
- Chiara Rondino, Head of Unit for Vocational Education and Training at the European Commission, discussing the future of VET in Europe.
Attendees will engage in a wide array of interactive workshops on topics such as: internationalization in VET, focusing on building strong local business networks; wellbeing in VET, emphasizing diversity, inclusion, and learner engagement; Gender Equal Guidance, tackling issues of gender equality and inclusion in VET. Workshops will also explore innovative educational tools like virtual reality and mobile-integrated learning, giving participants hands-on experience in the digitalization of vocational training.
EfVET President James Calleja, announcing the topic of the Conference, highlighted 3 main drivers for the future of VET:
“1. VET programmes need to increasingly focus on emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, blockchain, and cybersecurity. Gen Z is aware that proficiency in these areas will be crucial for future job prospects. […] 2. Gen Z is also entrepreneurial by nature, with many aspiring to start their own businesses or engage in innovative projects. Training programmes should nurture this entrepreneurial spirit by offering courses in business management, innovation, and entrepreneurship. […] 3. In an increasingly globalized world, Gen Z also values the ability to work effectively across cultures. Training programmes should emphasize global competence, offering opportunities for international exchanges, language learning, and cross-cultural communication. […] EfVET educational partners and employers must continue to collaborate and create training programmes that meet these expectations and equip Gen Z for a dynamic and uncertain future.”
The conference will kick off with a walking dinner and welcome speeches by EfVET President Prof. Joachim James Calleja, the EfVET Dutch Board Coordinator and Conference host Marlies Verkuijlen (Chair of the Board of MBO Amersfoort and Chair of the EfVET Dutch Board) and Lucas Bolsius, Mayor of Amersfoort. Delegates will also participate in excursions showcasing Amersfoort, providing additional networking opportunities in an informal setting.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the whole EfVET Dutch Board and its Chair, Marlies Verkuijlen, and to our main sponsors MBO Amersfoort, Aventus, ROC Midden Nederland, ROC Mondriaan, MBO Utrecht and the City of Amersfoort.
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For more information, please visit the official EfVET Conference website – www.efvet-conference.eu
EfVET media channels landing platform: @linktr.ee/efvet
Contact for the press: Mr. Michele Pasquale, Communications Manager, michele.pasquale@efvet.org
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