6 ways technology is helping Gatsby Benchmark implementation

American Student Assistance® (ASA) and ProjectSet established a partnership in 2023 to initiate middle and high-school students into the world of Durable Skills. ProjectSet designed and delivered a suite of work-based learning tasks and activities for EvolveMe®, ASA’s career experimentation and skill-building platform. Launched in 2023, EvolveMe is an award-winning, platform that incentivizes young people to take actions that advance their career interests. Through the platform, teens have access to more than 180 diverse career experimentation tasks—powered by innovative partner organizations like ProjectSet—with an 81 percent completion rate. The collaboration has had outstanding impact since the launch of EvolveMe in early 2023. More than 100,000 students have engaged on ProjectSet tasks and activities on EvolveMe, clocking over 50,000 hours. Moreover, 93% of them completed their tasks and gave a 9.4 average feedback rating. Clay Colarusso, CMO and SVP of Digital Strategy (ASA) says, “ProjectSet has been an incredible partner in helping our students build durable skills. Their self-guided, personalized programs have high conversion and completion rates among our students. We are excited to continue building on this partnership!” For a deeper look at how ASA and ProjectSet have teamed up to help students build the durable skills they need for career and lifelong success, and the results we’ve seen thus far, read the full case study below. Click here to read the full case study.

Many school district leaders are adopting the Life Ready Student model to address the gap between K-12 education and workforce needs. In 2019, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) highlighted this issue, focusing on two key questions: How can schools bridge the gap in soft skills—also known as durable skills such as time management and resourcefulness—and how can education and business leaders collaborate to better support students? Continue Reading...

As digitisation takes an increasing hold in our personal and professional lives, video CV is emerging as a fresh, powerful way to present ourselves. A video CV is a short audio-visual  presentation for us to showcase our skills, experiences, and capabilities in a way that goes beyond the limitations of a traditional static, paper-based resume in 3 key ways!    1. Personalise, Beyond Words  A video CV puts face and voice to the text and words in a traditional resume. It lends a human touch by uncovering your motivations, passions, and unique attributes in a way that resonates with recruiters on a personal level. Speaking confidently and maintaining eye contact, you can narrate your journey and achievements in a video CV more powerfully than a long list of qualifications can.    2. Get Yourself Heard, Get Away From the Herd  Use the magic of colours, movements and sounds in a video CV to engage your audience effectively. Simply speak into a camera or use visually engaging slides, images, video clips or sounds to highlight your unique attributes and suitability for a role. For example, you may provide a short demo of a relevant project when applying for a software coding role; or present a design portfolio when applying for a digital marketing, PR or media role. Overall a video CVs demonstrates your proficiency in handling digital communication media.    3. Don’t Choose, Don’t Lose You don’t need to choose either/ or; use a video CV in addition to – not in place of – the traditional text CV. This way, you offer your audience a choice and yet leverage the power of different media forms to grab their attention. As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, job seekers are scrambling to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Video CVs offer a novel and impactful way to capture recruiters' attention and differentiate oneself from other candidates. Remember: the objective of you CV is not to get you the job…. But just to get you on the list of interviewees.    Light, Camera, Action!  So, grab your camera, script your story, and step confidently into the future of job applications with your very own video CV.  Take that important step into the digital age to stand out in a hyper-competitive and super-crowded job market. You may want to view these examples to get some creative ideas on how to script your winning video CV.     Check Out Some Inspiration:

Relocating for a new job can be a challenging task. It requires a great deal of planning, organisation, and the ability to adapt to new situations. However, with the right approach and mindset, you can make this process less stressful, more cost-effective, and time-efficient. This guide provides a comprehensive framework to help you navigate through your upcoming career-related relocation smoothly.   The Home Buying Process The first step in your career-related relocation is finding a new home. It's crucial to understand the home buying process to avoid unnecessary costs and stress. Consider the option of buying a house "as is," which means purchasing the property in its current condition without the seller making any repairs or improvements. This strategy can save you money upfront, but it's essential to get a thorough home inspection to avoid potential costly issues down the line.   Consult Friends and Family If you have friends or family near your new location, don't hesitate to reach out to them for advice and support. They can provide valuable insights about the area, such as the best neighborhoods, local amenities, and cost of living. Their firsthand experiences can help you make informed decisions and ease the transition.   Establish a Moving Budget Creating a realistic moving budget is an essential step in your relocation process. It should include expenses like hiring movers, packing materials, transportation, and potential accommodation costs. Remember to factor in some extra funds for unexpected expenses. A well-planned budget will help you manage your finances better and prevent overspending.   Plan and Organize Your Move Effective planning and organisation are key to a successful move. Start by creating a timeline for your move, detailing tasks such as packing, hiring movers, and setting up utilities at your new home. Prioritise decluttering before packing to reduce the volume of items you need to move. Also, make sure to label boxes clearly to make unpacking easier.   Connect with Moving Professionals Hiring professionals can make your move smoother and more efficient. Do your research and get quotes from multiple moving companies to ensure you're getting the best deal. Check their reviews and ratings to ensure they're reliable and reputable. Remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best one, especially when it comes to handling your valuable possessions.   Communicate with Your Employer It's crucial to maintain open lines of communication with your employer throughout the relocation process, discussing your moving schedule to ensure it aligns with your start date. If your company offers relocation assistance, make sure to understand the terms and utilise the benefits. Moreover, keeping your employer updated about your transition progress can help in resolving any potential hiccups promptly and efficiently.   Network with Locals Networking with locals can help you settle into your new environment faster, whether it's by joining local clubs or groups related to your interests, attending community events, or using social media platforms to connect with people in your area. Building a local network can make your new location feel more like home, and furthermore, these connections might also open up unexpected opportunities in your new job and social life.   A career-related relocation is a significant life event that requires careful planning and execution. By following this guide, you can navigate the process with less stress, cost, and time. Remember to stay flexible and open-minded throughout the process, as unexpected challenges may arise. With the right preparation and mindset, your relocation can be an exciting new chapter in your career and personal life.