The CGC-DigiTrans project team is pleased to report on the successful presentations of our work at two prestigious international conferences in 2024. These events provided valuable platforms for sharing our progress, methodologies, and insights with the global career guidance community.
NICE Academy, Deventer, Netherlands – September 20, 2024
The NICE Academy, the annual event organized by the NICE Foundation, served as an excellent venue for introducing the CGC-DigiTrans project to a diverse audience of career counselors and experts from across Europe. Our team, represented by Jan Woldendorp (Saxion University), Lea Ferrari, and Teresa Maria Sgaramella (University of Padova), conducted a comprehensive two-hour workshop.
The session encompassed a detailed presentation of the project’s objectives, our progress to date, and the model of digital skills we developed. Participants were introduced to the Roundabout methodology, a key component of our project that encompasses six main steps. To enhance understanding and demonstrate practical application, attendees engaged in case study analyses, focusing on the examples of Julia and Mr T. They worked in small groups, discussing cases and reflecting on roundabout steps.
The workshop generated significant interest, with professionals from Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain actively participating. The presentation of the literature on digital skills models and taxonomies was quite new for many attendees. Discussions following the presentation highlighted the importance of adequately preparing career counselors for the challenges of digital transformation. Participants also agreed that supporting clients in developing digital skills could help in reducing inequalities and achieve SDG8, which promotes decent work. The feedback received emphasized the value of creating supportive networks for practitioners implementing the Roundabout methodology.
IAEVG International Conference, Jyväskylä, Finland – November 12-14, 2024
The project was further showcased at the IAEVG international conference, an event attended by over 500 professionals and scholars in the field of career guidance. Jenny Schulz (HdBA, Mannheim) and Jan Woldendorp (Saxion University) presented a workshop titled “Digital competences and new counselling approaches for CGC professionals riding the wave of change.” Lea Ferrari and Teresa Maria Sgaramella (University of Padova) were also present. This session provided an in-depth look at the digital competences model developed during the project’s initial phase. For some attendees, models and taxonomies on digital skills represented new content. Discussion focused more on the DigiTrans model developed at the beginning of the project, which is reported in the Digitrans Roundabout handbook. Subsequently, the Roundabout methodology was introduced, and participants engaged in practical exercises applying it to a specific case study.
The workshop sparked meaningful discussions on various aspects of the project, with particular interest shown in the assessment tools and the integration of theoretical frameworks into practical methodologies. The multi-actor counseling approach presented in our project was well-received, with many participants recognizing its potential for fostering digital skills in clients. However, the session also brought to light important considerations regarding the use of digital tools in counseling, including potential implications for professionals and client respect.
Conclusion and Future Directions
Both conference presentations have yielded valuable insights and positive feedback from the international professional community. The project team acknowledges the time constraints of these workshop formats and encourages interested parties to explore the CGC-DigiTrans website and participate in our online course for a more comprehensive understanding of the project and its methodologies. The enthusiastic reception of the CGC-DigiTrans project at these international forums validates the significance of our work in the evolving field of career guidance. As we move forward, we remain committed to refining our approaches and contributing to the advancement of digital competences in career guidance and counseling. More specifically, our future objectives include:
1. Continuing to engage with the professional community for ongoing improvement and relevance.
2. Refining our approaches based on the comprehensive feedback received.
3. Creating resources to support practitioners and future practitioners in implementing the Roundabout methodology.
4. Addressing practical implementation more comprehensively in our training materials in order to facilitate transferring of knowledge and practices to future career counselors.
We extend our gratitude to all participants for their engagement and valuable input. The CGC-DigiTrans team looks forward to continued collaboration and knowledge exchange with professionals and institutions across the global career guidance community. As we progress, we remain dedicated to enhancing digital competences in career guidance and counseling, ensuring our work remains at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.
