Embedding SOFt skills in sTem academic curricula for the transition to sustainable grEeN economy

SOFTEN project aims to address the long-standing gaps of soft skills that are detected in graduates from STEM university faculties who enter the green industry. Even through research indicates tha...

SOFTEN project aims to address the long-standing gaps of soft skills that are detected in graduates from STEM university faculties who enter the green industry. Even through research indicates that for a sustainable green transition such types of skills are essential, green companies report absences of soft skill from young workforce. SOFTEN aims to help European universities to integrate soft skills in STEM curricula, by helping educators and students learn about and exercise such skills.

Through mixed-methods research, SOFTEN will map the local ecosystems of pilot universities to detect soft skills needs and gaps from STEM curricula and graduates, in order to create a demand-driven and flexible training program in a blended form. The program will engage STEM educators under a “train the trainer approach”, to foster their soft skills. A novel platform will be developed to accommodate results and connect educational, civil and industrial stakeholders at European level.

Through the training results and the engagement activities, SOFTEN expects to raise the awareness of STEM professors and students regarding soft skills. Moreover, it expects to accelerate the formal integration of soft skills in university curricula in STEM faculties, but also in other faculties in the long-term, leading to widespread societal changes towards a greener mindset. Finally, it expects to help closing current soft skills demand-supply mismatches in green labor market.