Catapult Your Career – helping Gen Z close the skills gap and launch confident futures

Why young people struggle to find their career path

Today’s young people (18–23) face a paradox. They are more educated and digitally connected than any previous generation, yet many feel lost about career direction. According to the Catapult Report 2025, two big barriers stand out:

1. Lack of career clarity – Many graduates don’t know what roles align with their passions and strengths.
2. The skills mismatch – Employers are searching for “power skills” like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, while young people often feel underprepared.
   

The result? Frustration for Gen Z, and a hiring challenge for companies eager to bring in new talent.

What is Catapult Your Career?

Catapult Your Career is an innovative program designed to bridge this gap. Built on neuroscience, coaching, and education research, the project empowers young people to map their success, while giving HR professionals tools to identify and support emerging talent.

• For students & young professionals – Catapult offers interactive activities, career readiness diagnostics, and pathways to build power skills.
• For employers – the program creates a talent pipeline by connecting motivated young people with companies in need of fresh skills and perspectives.
  

Key findings from the Catapult report

The final report highlights three insights crucial for education, youth, and HR communities:

• Skills of the future: Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving will define employability more than technical know-how alone.
• Cross-cultural readiness: With globalization and remote work, young people need to be comfortable collaborating across borders.
• Learning by doing works best: Practical challenges, games, and role-plays are more effective than passive lectures in preparing Gen Z for the workplace.
  

(See the infographic on page 12 of the report for a full breakdown of future skills.)

How Catapult creates impact. The project doesn’t just diagnose problems—it delivers solutions:

• Career readiness toolkit – a set of activities and self-assessments to help young people identify strengths and career pathways.
• Power skills training – modules that build discipline, emotional management, and productivity—skills often missing in traditional education.
• Partnerships with employers – HR leaders gain access to a structured way to evaluate and integrate Gen Z talent.
  

By combining personal reflection, neuroscience-based exercises, and real-world practice, Catapult equips young people with confidence and clarity to take their next step.

Why this matters now

With youth unemployment and underemployment rising across Europe, projects like Catapult aren’t optional—they’re essential. Helping Gen Z discover their strengths and match them with employer needs doesn’t just benefit individuals; it strengthens economies and creates healthier workplaces.

The Catapult report is clear: career readiness is not about luck, it’s about preparation. By focusing on power skills, practical learning, and employer partnerships, Catapult Your Career is redefining how we prepare the next generation for success.

Read the full report HERE: