Elina Priedulena Boeken

The book addresses the critical issue of a skilled workforce shortage in Europe, exacerbated by demographic changes. It highlights the increasing youth unemployment crisis, emphasizing how many young people are being left without education or training opportunities. The narrative explores the implications of these trends for companies and the broader economy, urging the need for effective solutions to bridge the gap between workforce demands and youth capabilities.

All European countries are facing a lack of skilled workforce and a rather high rate of youth unemployment rate. Often the qualification of the young talents does not match the actual needs of the labour market. One possibility too better align the qualifications to the real needs of the companies is to apply a work-based learning method like the dual system from Germany. It provides a high level of training on the spot, in the company. The publication sums up experiences of introducing the dual vocational training system in Hungary, Lithuania and Poland, including curricula and evaluation reports. The book puts an emphasis on vocational training in the Baltic Sea Region and shares also experiences of VET from other, non-EU countries like Russia.

The ageing of nations is an enormous challenge for governments and national economies as well as for researchers and companies Efforts to improve the quality of life of older citizens can also provide an opportunity for the furniture industry, in particular to SMEs - that are flexible and can easily adapt to the individual needs of elderly. As part of the BaltSe@nioR project, experts from all several countries around the Baltic Sea Region - Poland, Denmark, Latvia, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Germany and Sweden - have developed, tested and made available to SMEs ICT-based tools, applications and databases, innovative and creative working methods and knowledge. In addition, they all worked together on synergies between the traditional furniture industry and innovative ICT solutions, on strengthening the innovation capacity to develop intelligent products and adapted to the needs of older people. This publication shows the main results of the project and can provide know-how and inspiration for future furniture design for elderly.