Workshop
SBB
Awareness of generational perspectives enhances collaboration
SBB (Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs en Bedrijfsleven) is the link between vocational education (mbo) and businesses in the Netherlands. Commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, SBB accredits and supports companies that offer internships and apprenticeships, develops qualification structures, and provides labor market insights. As an organization that works with young people every day - and partners with organizations that guide them - SBB wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the generations and perspectives within their own team, so they joined the Generation Game workshop.
The challenge
Working with and guiding Gen Z can come with tension and frustration, especially within the vocational education field. What happens when mentors and students no longer understand each other? At SBB, this question became pressing when the team began to wonder whether different perspectives on work, motivation, and communication were also visible within their own organization. To break through those differences and build bridges, the Generation Game was put into play.
The solution
During the Generation Game workshop, we created a safe setting for open conversation. Topics such as safety, communication, and diversity were introduced in a playful way, with the goal of bringing issues to the surface that might otherwise remain unspoken. The workshop ended with a satisfied team leaving with a smile.
The impact
The SBB team - who works daily with Gen Z (and sometimes Gen Alpha) in guiding vocational students toward internships - left the workshop with a stronger awareness of the different worlds and expectations across generations. The insights led to tangible outcomes: more understanding of each other’s perspectives and fresh approaches to collaboration, both within the team and in their guidance of students.
