The Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management at Riga Technical University, Latvia; University of Belgrade, Serbia; the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU), Germany; Momentum, the education and innovation company (Ireland); European E-learning Institute, Denmark are carrying out a 3-year international project Be21 Skilled aiming at improving the competences of future STEM graduates.
STEM graduates are often reported to lack 21st century skills by employers, which in turn prevents them from innovating, developing, and adapting in uncertain, volatile times.
The research partners carried out a market research and identified 21st century skills, which the labour market looks for in recent STEM graduates, based on Europe-wide employer survey. European Skill Panorama Report has been prepared. The report aims at demarcating the current state of affairs with respect to the 21st century skills needs, challenges and opportunities, as well as pinpointing the challenges in current pedagogical approaches to teaching 21st century skills. Importantly, the European Skill Panorama Report informs European universities of the areas for priority action to improve teaching and development of 21st century skills. It also provides useful information for students, employers, employees and policy makers on the labour market demands needed to develop skills development strategies at all levels. The report covers all European countries, with particular focus on Latvia and Serbia.
On November 21 the 5-day 21st-century skills professional development event in Riga brought together faculty members from Riga Technical University and the University of Belgrade to explore and master 21st-century skills jointly. Appropriate interactive study methods were presented and discussed during the event.