‘Skills for Jobs’ comes with a list of suggestions and measures to be taken from schools this academic year and beyond, considering that the pandemics will be here to stay for a while. The bottom line is that the pandemics should not stop educational institutions and their partners from continuing their efforts towards young generations. On the contrary, it is in times of crises that coordinated effort and innovative solutions emerge.

Considering current and future health safety measures in educational institutions, it is suggested that blending different learning methods by teachers can be the way to keep youngsters engaged in the learning process. This needs special attention from schools to organize their curricula by blending methods in and outside class, where online learning prevails. Online materials will need to be easily accessible to youngsters, while teachers trained to make them attractive for students.

Another challenge for VET institutions are apprenticeships in businesses, in a situation where health safety measures are imperative and physical distancing remains a possibility. This will require coordination and flexibility between schools and partner companies, ensuring a safe environment in business premises for apprentices. They also need to consider the possibility of remote apprenticeships and the modality of businesses mentoring students in case of physical distancing periods. It is also necessary that schools engage in dialogue with companies on skills needed by the labour market, as these needs will constantly change.

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