Technological, demographic and climate changes are reshaping industries, making the need to upskill the workforce more critical than ever. Addressing these challenges, the Future Work 4’s project equips the workforce of tomorrow with four key 21st-century skills identified by leading studies from the World Economic Forum, OECD, McKinsey, the World Bank, and others. These skills include digital competencies, green skills and environmental awareness, entrepreneurship and innovation, and social and career skills.
Funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus+ program, the initiative is coordinated by Sofia University, in collaboration with the Business Foundation for Education in Bulgaria, the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Link Campus University in Italy, and Innovation Hive in Greece.
The partnership developed a gamified learning platform featuring four free courses with interactive exercises on these essential topics. Since its launch in March 2024, the platform has drawn over 720 learners—more than double the initial target of 300—with 410 participants already completing their training. Feedback collected from 210 course graduates reveals that over 75% found the platform and courses aligned with their goals and provided a positive experience. Additionally, 83% acknowledged the courses’ contribution to their professional development, and 90% praised the quality of the training materials.
The Future Work 4s platform offers flexible, accessible, and interactive courses tailored to the modern labor market’s demands. Game elements such as quizzes, case studies, and practical challenges make learning engaging and effective. The well-structured materials and the option to learn at one’s own pace enable participants to balance their education with other responsibilities.
The training courses are free and open to an international audience, removing barriers that might otherwise prevent participation. Graduates receive microcertificates, formally recognizing their newly acquired skills and enhancing their career prospects.
Future Work 4s promotes inclusion by offering resources suited to various learning styles, making the platform accessible to a broad audience. The courses can also be integrated into university curricula or used as advanced training modules for employees.
The courses are available in five languages—English, Bulgarian, Czech, Greek, and Italian—and will remain freely accessible until the end of 2027, providing continuous opportunities for learners to develop the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Participant Feedback:
- Digital Skills Course:
“The course is excellent! It introduced me to many new concepts, including how to use AI and understand principles related to RPA.”
“I didn’t expect to enjoy the course so much! The logical structure and practical focus made it highly valuable. Thank you!” - Green Skills Course:
“The gamified approach turned learning into an engaging adventure, simplifying complex concepts and keeping my motivation high.”
“The most useful exercise was sorting waste and learning about decomposition times for different materials.” - Entrepreneurship Skills Course:
“The course topics’ clarity, explanatory videos, and gamification made learning enjoyable.”
“I loved the use of videos and crossword puzzles. The business canvas exercise was particularly interesting.” - Social and Career Skills Course:
“This course was both engaging and informative. The practical strategies for effective communication, networking, and problem-solving were invaluable.”
“The comprehensive content covers essential life skills. Everything was helpful and will benefit me in the future.”
The consortium has promoted the platform and courses at 22 events, engaging over 600 participants and reaching thousands of users across Europe. The website has attracted over 1,100 unique visitors, while the Facebook page boasts more than 500 followers from 20 countries.
Discover more at futurework4s.eu and follow the project on Facebook.