The SupportSphere project is a European initiative dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by young adults in vocational education and training (VET) and preventing the risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). The project focuses on strengthening relationships among VET trainers, peers, and students, equipping young adults with the tools and confidence to navigate their educational and career paths successfully.
One of the key components of the project, Work Package 2 (WP2), focused on understanding the needs and challenges of VET students and trainers in career guidance. WP2 served as the foundation for developing the SupportSphere Handbook, a practical tool designed to provide trainers and tutors with the competencies and strategies necessary to support students and learners in making informed career choices. As part of this work package, ENAIP NET conducted two sets of focus groups—one with VET trainers and tutors, and another with VET students. These sessions explored current practices, identified gaps, and gathered firsthand insights that directly contributed to the handbook’s content and structure.
The focus group with trainers was held online on February 12, 2025, and involved 15 participants. Trainers discussed key challenges in career guidance, such as anticipating future professions and adapting to the rapidly evolving labour market. They emphasized the importance of focusing on personal competencies rather than specific job titles and highlighted the critical role of self-knowledge in guiding young adults.
Practical, experiential learning activities—such as workshops, visits to local businesses, and real-life testimonies—were considered highly effective in engaging students.
Trainers also underlined the need for stronger collaboration with families and local companies, as well as targeted professional development in communication, intercultural competence, and psychology to enhance their role as career mentors.
The student focus groups involved approximately 25 participants, divided into two groups of around 12 students each, on March 12, 2025. Students reflected on their strengths, the skills they wish to develop, and their experiences with career guidance. Common strengths included practical skills, sports, and work-related abilities. Students expressed interest in developing additional skills such as languages, communication, and vocational competencies.
While most students felt supported in choosing their educational paths, they reported that family, friends, and teachers were their primary sources of guidance, although social media and personal experiences also played a role.
Future aspirations ranged from working in the hospitality sector to pursuing international opportunities, with students emphasizing the importance of exploring different options, learning from mistakes, and making independent, informed decisions.
Insights from both trainers/tutors and students highlight several key themes: the importance of practical, hands-on learning experiences; the centrality of self-knowledge in career decision-making; and the value of supportive networks that include trainers, peers, families, and local businesses. These findings informed the development of the SupportSphere Handbook, ensuring that VET trainers are equipped with practical strategies to provide meaningful guidance and foster career self-efficacy among young adults.
By integrating the voices of both trainers and students, ENAIP NET and the SupportSphere project continue to promote equity, inclusion, and adaptability in vocational education, offering practical solutions to reduce dropout rates and the risk of NEET status. The WP2 focus groups have been essential in understanding the real-life challenges faced by young adults in VET, shaping a framework that combines social support, skill development, and hands-on learning for successful career pathways.
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