The 21st century has been characterised by several phenomena all largely characterised by technology and, recently, artificial intelligence (Calleja, 2023). The new generation of learners, so-called Gen Z, brings a potential of innovation with their attitude, being technology-native, exposed to international culture (music, cinema, sport, events) and already experiencing great challenges, from the pandemic to a cultural paradigm shift. Meanwhile, technology advancements are innovating the landscape of future jobs, skills and qualifications.
In this scenario it is legitimate to ask some important questions: What are the skills for the future jobs? What will be the future jobs? What physical and psychological environments should training providers create to retain learners in formal education? Will AI and online learning jeopardise or develop VET? Are we facing Gen Z with education and training programmes that make them employable?
It is possible to identify some clear challenges for our VET community to face the social and cultural changes related to Gen Z. As always, challenges can be a unique opportunity to set the pace towards the future. The EfVET Conference 2024 “Training the Gen Z: New Horizons for VET” 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 EfVET 2024 conference will address three overarching questions: To what extent can this relationship keep the three-tier system in higher VET/education a relevant learning platform? What would be happen if AI challenges formal education in an extensive and rapid situation? How does this culture affect students in vocational education schools? Will human beings be relevant as teachers while artificial intelligence supersedes human capacity? What could be the role of lecturing staff when the profile of learners is changing so fast? Does this mean that the next generation of vocational education learners will be online learners? How are learners and teachers reacting after COVID-19? Is mental wellbeing really a challenge or an inflation of changing attitudes? / Are managers and teachers well prepared to address mental health issues or coping skills in such fast-moving societies?
The growth of our society, economically and socially, relies more and more on a sound VET ecosystem.
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