Intergenerational Skills Exchangfor Sustainable SMEs
Erasmus+ KA210 – Small-Scale Partnerships in Adult Education
Project 2024-2-BE02-KA210-ADU-000284038
Toolkit III: Communication toolkit
Communication Toolkit
Comprehensive Skills Matrix
InterGen presents a comprehensive skills matrix that aligns the core competencies required for effective intergenerational communication with the European Union’s key competency frameworks: DigComp 2.2 (Digital Competence), GreenComp (Sustainability Competence), and LifeComp (Personal, Social and Learning to Learn Key Competence). This matrix also demonstrates the integration of insights from the learning methodologies discussed previously and the broader objectives of the European Skills Agenda.
How to Use the Skills Martix
Step 1 — Self-Assessment
Each employee reviews the matrix and rates themselves on the relevant competencies using the L1–L4 descriptors. The language is deliberately plain and non-technical, making it accessible to all generations without the need for an HR intermediary.
Step 4 — Matching & Pairing
The matrix makes intergenerational pairing intuitive. A Baby Boomer rated L4 in self-regulation (LifeComp A.1) can mentor a Gen Z colleague rated L2 in that area — while the Gen Z employee mentors back on digital content creation where they score L4. The matrix makes these complementary strengths visible.
Step 2 — Gap Identification
Compare individual scores against the typical generational profiles in the matrix. This immediately surfaces two types of gaps: areas where someone scores below the typical profile for their generation (personal development gaps) and areas where one generation consistently lags behind another (organizational transfer opportunities).
Step 5 — Progress Tracking
Re-assess every 3–6 months. The L1–L4 scale gives a clear, motivating progression path rather than a pass/fail outcome, making it easy to document and celebrate improvement.
Step 3 — Development Planning
Use the generation-specific strategy sections of the matrix to design targeted learning paths. The matrix already recommends the right methodology per generation — for example, traditional mentoring for Baby Boomers on digital skills, and reverse mentoring from Millennials/Gen Z to older colleagues.
SMEs Implementation Guide
The InterGen SMEs Implementation Guide is your essential, step-by-step companion for bringing intergenerational collaboration to life within your organisation. Developed as part of the EU-funded InterGen project — Intergenerational Skills Exchange for Sustainable SMEs — this guide transforms research and frameworks into clear, actionable steps that any SME can follow, regardless of sector or size.
From assessing your current workforce’s digital maturity, to building mentoring structures, launching cross-generational learning programmes, and monitoring progress over time, the guide walks you through every phase of implementation with practical tools, templates, and structured timelines..
Why is it so important to follow it?
Because without a structured approach, even the best intentions fall short. The InterGen Guide ensures your organisation doesn’t just adopt intergenerational practices in isolation — it builds a living culture of continuous learning, where every generation contributes, every voice is heard, and no knowledge is lost.
By following it, your team will unlock the full spectrum of InterGen benefits: enhanced digital capabilities, stronger cross-generational collaboration, improved communication, and long-term organisational resilience aligned with EU frameworks such as DigComp, LifeComp, and GreenComp.
This is not just a document — it is the structured foundation of your intergenerational development culture. It gives your SME an organised, repeatable system to grow with every new hire, every shifting team, and every technological change ahead.
📌 Download it. Follow it. Transform your workplace — generation by generation.
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