On 9 October representatives of the Alytus Faculty of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) participated in the international forum – the digital educational laboratory DELab, which was intended to present the Erasmus+ programme KA2 project “Digital educational platform for soft skills and labour market culture” (DEPS-Skills) No. 2022-1-LT01-KA220-ADU-000085928 results.

During the forum, the analysis of the conducted research and the integration of soft skills into the labour market in Lithuania, Poland, Ireland and Norway were discussed. Partners from Lithuania, Poland, Ireland and Norway shared their insights. Karolina Matukynienė shared her insights about the possibilities of the digital education platform being developed. She emphasised the importance of implementing project initiatives in order to strengthen the quality and accessibility of education.

The forum was attended by Jurgita Šukevičienė, Vice Mayor of the Alytus City Municipality, Loreta Šernienė, Head of the Alytus Education and Sports Department, Dalia Asanavičiūtė, member of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, professor of Vytautas Magnus University, Prof. Genutė Gedvilienė, representatives of the embassies of the Republic of Lithuania in Ireland and Norway.

Project partners from Lithuania (AVKC, Kauno kolegija HEI), Poland (Nemunas Euroregion), Ireland (LABAS – Association of Lithuanian Communities) and Norway (Lithuanian Society in Rogaland) presented the results of the research, cultural challenges and the importance of soft skills in the labour markets of different countries.

Inga Neciunskaitė, Coordinator of International Activities, emphasised the importance of lifelong learning, presenting the possibilities of digital tools being developed. These tools will allow to develop such competencies as career and time management, communication skills and professional ethics. She emphasised that this platform will be extremely useful not only for migrants, refugees or adults with fewer opportunities but also for educational specialists who, improving their digital skills, will be able to provide higher quality services to vulnerable members of society. It will also provide an opportunity for self-improvement and better adaptation to the ever-changing labour market.

The DEPS-Skills project, funded by the European Union, stands out for its aim to create a modern digital platform for developing soft skills and helping migrants, refugees and low-skilled workers integrate into the labour market. Kauno kolegija HEI’s participation in the project emphasises the aspiration to contribute to the creation of innovative educational solutions that are intended not only for Lithuania but also for a wider international context.

Project duration: from 31 December, 2022 until 30 April, 2025.
Project coordinator: Alytus Business Advisory Centre.
The project is funded by the European Union.