In a world that is constantly evolving, it’s absolutely crucial to integrate 21st-century skills (21CS) into STEM education. 21CS refer to those skills that are essential for students' success in the modern world. That's exactly what the Baseline report of the BE 21 SKILLED Project highlights, along with the challenges faced by STEM graduates in adapting to this ever-changing landscape.
The report argues that STEM graduates often lack 21CS, which prevent them from being innovative, developing, and adapting in uncertain times. It presents an in-depth meta-analysis of 21CS frameworks, emphasising the need for skills tailored to specific regions and in line with labour-market demands. To make it happen, the project has laid out six key objectives, which are about promoting and developing 21CS in various contexts and stakeholders. This includes facilitating understanding and identification of these skills, empowering teachers to incorporate them in their instruction, enhancing students' skills and employability, promoting support for female STEM students, innovating curricula with skill-focused tools, and actively sharing results and good practices.
What is more, the Skills Panorama report is also part of the BE 21 SKILLED Project. Its goal is to provide practical insights into the skills that employers in the labour market are seeking in recent STEM graduates. It is based on a survey conducted across Europe, ensuring that its findings can be applied and replicated. This report takes a deep dive into the employability of STEM graduates in the 21st-century labour market. It showcases findings from a survey involving employers from 29 countries. The report offers six priority areas for action, shining a spotlight on self-management, purposefulness, perseverance, adaptability, resilience, stress resistance, creativity, curiosity, an open mindset, opportunity recognition, responsibility, fairness, emotional intelligence, empathy, wellbeing, positive attitudes, and mindfulness.
The Baseline and Skills Panorama reports from the BE 21 SKILLED Project provide invaluable insights into the pressing need for integrating 21CS into STEM education. By bridging this gap, we're unlocking their true potential and equipping graduates with the skills they need to thrive in our increasingly complex and interconnected world.
To access these resources, all you need is a simple click. The Baseline Report awaits you at https://be21skilled.eu/baseline-report/ and the Skills Panorama can be found at https://be21skilled.eu/skills-panorama/
