How Companies Can Improve Education and Mentor Young Talent: Insights from Fredrik Harkort

By offering mentoring and tutoring, Fredrik Harkorts’ agency is directly at the interface between schools and companies. This makes it clear: The causes of the poor performance in the PISA study could not be eliminated; Many families and schools lack the necessary resources to ensure even the basic requirements for a future-proof educational qualification. In the “heise meets” podcast, Harkort shows that companies can do more than complain and appeal to the state.

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The basis we need for sheer survival is not enough

PISA measures verifiable results of school performance. And of course reading, writing and mathematics are absolutely necessary in professional life. But the following applies to the benefits of many other school contents: The world of work has changed – school has not. And what will be needed professionally in 10 years is still largely unclear today.

The focus must therefore shift from imparting specialist knowledge to basic skills for personal development, says Harkort: knowing, communicating and being able to apply your own strengths – this allows companies to better assess applicants. And digitalization? The Digital Pact 1 has – partially! – many devices were brought into schools, but without digital content and, above all, without considering the training of teachers for this. However, getting digitally savvy students is possible, as the example of Estonia shows.

“Today knowledge is everywhere and not just at school”

Digitalized teaching would also have to take into account that knowledge in all areas of life is now largely available on the Internet – but a competent, critical approach to it is required. And, according to Harkort, an opening up to schools as social meeting places. Because a greater proximity to the reality of life would also be more motivating for the students.

However, a few weeks of in-company internships throughout school are not enough. Schools and companies are required to enter into an exchange. Employees could e.g. B. go to schools and present job profiles. Company tours would be another element – ​​anything more exciting than the “brochure from the employment office”.

Instead of waiting for a quick change in the education system, it would definitely pay off for companies to invest more here on their own initiative. “To win the pearls for us that are still in the schools,” Harkort puts it. With Cleverly, he then supports trainees and young professionals through mentoring within the company. “Become active in the sourcing of young talent” is the request. There are no other options.

(mki)

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2023-12-20 12:32:50
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