Introduction

In a forward-thinking effort to address the impending shortage of skilled workers in Denmark, StudentPulse takes part in the Project Retention through Social Sustainability at EUD (PSB). This project aims to strengthen the well-being and retention among EUD students in the region.

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There’s an alarming dropout rate, which reaches 40% of students on vocational training. The majority of these young individuals abandon their education due to dissatisfaction stemming from various social, personal, and academic factors. Driven by a profound need to address this challenge, Tradium initiated this project in collaboration with StudentPulse, as part of a broader regional effort aiming to address the student wellbeing. This comprehensive, three-year project involves eleven schools situated in the central region of Denmark, collectively representing 72% of the student population in the area. StudentPulse takes part in the project as a data-driven solution and check-in tool, meticulously implemented to foster a new well-being practice across these 11 vocational schools.

Project focus areas

The project has three main areas, ensuring that more young people complete their vocational training:

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• Increased students’ well-being
• Educators’ competency courses
• Increased retention

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StudentPulse mostly contributes to the activity that focuses on increased students’ well-being. It is of course closely related to student retention, as it is precisely the increased well-being that plays a significant role in the strengthened retention.

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Implementation

Our intelligent check-ins have been underway in the project since January, shedding light on critical aspects of student wellbeing. This information serves as a catalyst for discussions and collaborative problem-solving among school leadership and educators, ensuring that the insights collected are made actionable in real time.

Measuring well-being in this manner means that schools can stay in tune with students' well-being on an ongoing basis rather than looking back once a year. This way, schools can identify areas where interventions are needed most, addressing concerns promptly and proactively shaping a conducive learning environment that supports students throughout their whole educational journey.

The emphasis on wellbeing is so crucial because an enriched student experience doesn't only benefit those already enrolled but also has a profound impact on attracting potential new students. Addressing the academic, social and personal needs of current students translates into an educational system more appealing to future generations.

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The scope of this project is something we haven't seen before. It provides an opportunity to find more evidence in retention work. All the participating schools are accustomed to working with various smaller initiatives, but here, we're at a scale where we can see what works and what doesn't.

Lars Michael Madsen, Director, Tradium