A methodology to research competencies of the young generation in the economy of the future. A proposal of new research tools

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present an original proposal of a methodology to test the competencies of the young generation and how it may be used for working with young people. Design/methodology/approach: The research methodology presented in this paper is inspired by the assessment centre method, which is adapted for the purposes of testing the young generation, so that their competence potential may be determined based on original tasks. Findings: The paper describes what detailed competencies are revealed during the task performance. It allows to determine how a teacher may stimulate the development of a particular competency in a student by using it in the teaching process. It is demonstrated how introducing certain tasks to be done by students as part of their school life allows the young people to face potential challenges of the future labour market. Research limitations/implications: The paper presents the strengths and weaknesses of the presented methodology of competency test, pointing out to the difficulties caused by the time consumption involved in the completion of it. Practical implications: The research tools presented in this article allow for a multi-stage and multifaceted process of simulating the challenges which will be faced by young people when choosing a career. This way, young people could face varying challenges to help them determine what requirements and expectations they will face further in the education process and later, when entering the labour market under the Economy 4.0 conditions. Social implications: The education system must be improved towards a more practical approach to teaching and its better alignment with the requirements set out by the contemporary labour market. The prepared tools allow a teacher to determine the competencies held by a student and encourage his or her further development. Originality/value: The prepared tasks and the way of analysis of the results of the research are an original achievement of the research team who developed them. The developed methodology may expand the educational toolbox of teachers.