EDSAW Project; not only for 50+ Employees but also for Trainers.

With the increasing changes in digital era, each day we witness that there is a big digital gap between generations. Now the companies and institutions prefer the employees who can use digital tools in a proper practical way to make their works in a faster and practical way. In such a framework, younger generations have an advantage for using technological tools in an effective way and this situation gives them priorities in the workplaces. But in such a case the matter of experience is also playing a significant role and this can only be transferred from the elder employees to the new comers. At this point to combine the power of experience with digital capabilities elder employees, especially 50+ should be given digital trainings to prevent this digital gap and keep these individuals in active work life in a stronger way.

EDSAW Project aims to bridge the digital gap by enhancing digital and soft skills among the elder workforce. In this process, the project consortium and researchers prepared a course content according to the needs of elder workforce which were identified with th results of questionnaires implemented in project partner countries. With these contents, we aim to see an increase in the knowledge of elder workforce in relation with digital skills. This process will also be supported with e-learning platform which will contribute to lifelong learning program.

In this training journey, the role of the trainers who will teach to adults is also of great importance. As a training programme different from traiditional training programme, adult education is a much more different area. The learner as a receiver can come up with her/his previous knwoledge and experience which can accelerate or slow down the learning process. So the trainers should create a learning environment specific to the characteristics of the learners and their behaviours. To create this environment, the trainers should know the details about elders.

As a part of this project, we have also created a study book and content related to Adult Education and how to implement this in an effective way. In creation of this course contents, we worked with the adult trainers and education experts to make this effective at maximum level. This content will help trainers on how to learn about the adults and how to reflect their experiences into learning environment in a positive way. The content will be soon ready on our e-learning platform.

Acknowledgement: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Slovak Academic Association for International Cooperation (Slovenská akademická asociácia pre medzinárodnú spoluprácu). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.