As part of the Erasmus+ HR+ Project, the Portuguese partner, PREVIFORM LDA, successfully piloted two core training modules designed to strengthen the digital and managerial competencies of current and future HR professionals. The trainings were delivered in Ponte de Lima and Penafiel (Porto) in December 2025, reaching a total of 38 participants across two distinct cohorts.
A Targeted Approach to Evolving HR Needs
PREVIFORM implemented the following HR+ modules:
- Module 1: Digital Office Tools, Systems and Cybersecurity
- Module 6: Change Processes in Organisations
These modules respond directly to the evolving challenges faced by HR professionals in today’s digitally transforming and dynamic work environments.
The training groups were carefully selected to reflect the real-world diversity of the HR landscape:
- The Penafiel cohort was composed entirely of students, referred by local institutions and business associations. While they had limited professional experience, they showed strong digital readiness and high motivation.
- The second cohort included a mix of HR professionals—ranging from managers to senior technicians—actively engaged in organizational processes and people management. Their experience levels varied, requiring a flexible and responsive training approach.
Practice-Based Learning with Real-World Impact
The training sessions were structured around practical exercises, simulations, and real-life scenarios, combining concise theoretical input with interactive activities. This hands-on methodology encouraged participants to reflect on and directly apply new knowledge to their own professional contexts.
Key highlights included:
- High levels of engagement and participation
- Real-life case simulations that helped reinforce learning
- Collaborative exercises tailored to different levels of experience
- A dynamic and motivating environment that fostered active learning
Participants particularly valued the opportunity to connect theoretical concepts to real organizational challenges, especially in areas such as cybersecurity and change management.
Positive Results and Room for Growth
According to trainer evaluations, the majority of participants performed well, demonstrating strong engagement and the ability to apply concepts during the sessions. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, especially regarding:
- The relevance of the content
- The clarity of presentations
- The applicability of skills to real HR roles
Students appreciated the introduction to digital tools and found the change management guidance especially eye-opening. However, some areas for improvement were noted:
- Participants had varied baseline knowledge, which required additional support
- Time constraints limited deeper exploration of complex topics
- More pre-training materials and extended practice time were suggested
Looking Ahead: Recommendations for Future Training
Based on this experience, PREVIFORM proposes several recommendations to further enhance future implementations:
- Increase practical activities and case-based exercises
- Allow more time for discussion and in-depth topic exploration
- Enhance collaborative learning through more group-based exercises
These refinements would enable even stronger learning outcomes and ensure that training continues to meet the diverse needs of HR professionals and students alike.