Brochure on Erasmus+ project “Future Skills” published
What do employees in Bildungshäuser, Adult Education Centres and educational institutions need in order to deal well with the challenges of the present and future? Do recruiting, leadership, organisational and personnel development need to be rethought? And if so, how? What skills and competences will help us to shape a positive and liveable future? And what values and attitudes will managers and employees need? The project partners addressed these questions for over while working on the Erasmus+ project “ Changing competences in the Bildungshaus of the future“.
Project Overview – At a Glance
As part of the Erasmus+ project, key questions concerning staff and organisational development in adult education centres were examined. Current challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers, upheavals in the world of work and societal values, as well as digitalisation and artificial intelligence, are pressing issues for many institutions. The core of the project work focused on the competencies, mindsets, and structures that Bildungshäuser, Folk High Schools and other adult education centres will need in the future in order to remain attractive places to work.Focus groups with managers and experts in the fields of human resources and organisational development were conducted to identify problems, needs, and new solution approaches. At the same time, comprehensive research was carried out on current buzzwords such as „Future Skills” and „New Work,” as well as on the latest developments in recruiting, leadership and organisational culture, and human resources development. Particularly valuable insights were also gained through excursions to innovative companies that serve as role models thanks to their creative working approaches and modern organizational structures.
What skills do Bildungshäuser of the future need?
So what exactly are the "Future Skills" required in the Bildungshaus and Adult Education Centres of the future? At their core, these are cross-disciplinary competencies that are gaining increasing importance — including personal responsibility, adaptability, problem-solving ability, emotional intelligence, and digital competence. Particularly essential is the ability to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts, which serves as a key to strengthening collaboration within teams. This involves much more than simply exchanging factual information — it’s about the ability to actively listen, clearly express needs, deal with tension respectfully, and resolve conflicts early and independently. Multiperspectivity and serendipity were also identified as important Future Skills in the project: The former refers to the ability to consciously perceive different perspectives and integrate them into decision-making processes, while the latter describes the art of discovering unexpected opportunities and using them constructively for further development. And finally, skills such as self-reflection, trust, and intuition are considered essential prerequisites for confidently meeting the complex demands of everyday work in our educational centers. This creates a work environment that not only addresses challenges but actively shapes the future.It is important to note, however, that Future Skills must not remain theoretical concepts — they need to be actively nurtured and lived in daily practice, for example through targeted training and a leadership culture grounded in appreciation. Additionally, caution is advised when the focus on developing individual skills leads to overlooking structural problems within the organization.
Practice-Oriented Impulses for Educational Centres – The Results Brochure
The insights gained during the project were compiled into a concise brochure. It is aimed at managers, HR professionals, and other key stakeholders in Bildungshäuser and similar adult education centres who are engaged with questions of personnel and organisational development.The brochure offers practical impulses, reflects current developments in the world of work, and presents exemplary approaches for future-oriented action. It is intended as a guide and source of inspiration for finding your own way of dealing with change, new demands, and evolving expectations.The digital version is available as a PDF and as an interactive flipbook and invites readers to explore either by topic or as required.
Project Partners from Germany and Austria
The project was initiated by ARGE Bildungshäuser Österreich. Project partners included SPES Zukunftsakademie (Austria) and the Verband der Bildungszenren im ländlichen Raum (Germany). The collaboration enabled a multifaceted view of the situation in Bildungshäuser in both countries and enriched the project through diverse perspectives and experiences.
Further information:
ARGE BHÖ Project Website „Future Skills“
