The project engages in a series of activities that complement each other and allow for a progressive implementation of the project.

 

Market Analysis

The Market analysis phase allowed the partners to lay the basis for the development of the training modules, following a bottom-up and end-user-centred approach. Training needs of companies in the fields of artificial intelligence, virtual reality and social innovation are identified, and in a second step transformed into learning outcomes.

The outcomes of the activities have been published in two documents: a report on “Workforce needs for up and reskilling in Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Social Innovation” and a set of recommendations for the development of transnational training modules.

 

Training path definition and modules development

During the subsequent training path definition and modules development phase, 3 learning paths with modules and units for each of the three fields (AI, VR, SI) were developed.

After the training paths were defined, the project partners engaged in a common training materials development process, whereby all interested partners took the responsibility for developing specific units, in line with their expertise and experience.

The training materials were developed for online usage and by the end of the development process, three asynchronous training courses were available for the subsequent piloting phases.

The training materials were complemented by a “train the trainers guide”. The guide aims to be a comprehensive resource designed to equip trainers with the knowledge necessary to deliver effective and impactful training sessions within the frame of EULEP. It has been tailored to provide practical strategies and tools for creating engaging learning environments, fostering participant interaction, and adapting content to meet diverse learning needs. Emphasis is placed on aligning training objectives with organisational goals to maximize impact and ensure relevance.

 

The learning experience platform

In parallel to the development of the training materials, a functional e-learning platform  was developed at European level.

The developed training materials were integrated into the e-learning platform and prepared for the pilot phase.

 

Piloting, Action Piloting & Capacity Building

The pilot phase comprises 4 phases:

• Phase 1: European Learning Academy (ELA)
• Phase 2: Train-the-Trainer Pilot
• Phase 3: Country-level Adaptation
• Phase 4: Regional Capacity-Building

 

Phase 1: European Learning Academy  (ELA) for VET and training providers.

Over 30 CVET trainers from the participating countries took part in in a critical review, testing and feedback process of the EULEP training platform and its materials.

During the ELA, participants had the opportunity to  

• deeply familiarize with the MOOC platform and its features;
• master the material and specialized content for subsequent delivery in the Train-the-trainer piloting phase;
• reflect on pedagogical strategies; and
• test the platform functionalities.

 

Phase 2: Train-the-Trainer Pilot

Over 400 VET and training providers  from the participating countries took part in this phase. The “learners” were guided by the trainers who previously completed the ELA and were invited to:

• Engage actively in learning how to use the MOOC platform ;
• Explore ways to deliver complex concepts (AI, VR, and Social Innovation) to SME learners, keeping in mind the specific context and needs of these businesses ;
• Master the material and review best practices for delivering these topics, especially in an online format that may be new to their own teaching style ;
• Experiment with pedagogical strategies such as interactive discussions, peer learning, and authentic assessments using real-world business scenarios ;
• Provide actionable feedback -as “critical friends”- related to the course platform, including : 1. the appropriateness and alignment of the training content; 2. learning design, engagement and interactivity; 3. pedagogical soundness; 4. Technical functionality and usability.

The feedback provided by the “learners” is presented in the national/regional pilot reports.

 

 

Phase 3 : Country level adaptation

The gathered feedback is used to improve the training materials at project level and to adapt them to national / regional circumstances. A translation of the adapted training materials into the national languages is also foreseen.

 

Phase 4 : Regional capacity-building

The overall goal of Phase 4 is to scale and implement the EULEP training pathways developed and refined throughout the previous phases to targeted end-users in real world business contexts. The aim is to certify learning for end-users by issuing certificates or badges to each participant. Each country hub is responsible for organizing, planning and implementing their respective capacity building sessions.

Regional capacity-building is implemented in the course of 2025, and interested parties are invited to contact the partners from the participating countries (link to partners page).

 

Regional Hubs for cooperation in and promotion of VET

C-VET can positively contribute to upskilling and reskilling, as such respond to the needs of the labour market effectively. However, this is an opportunity often left unexploited as companies do not fully understand or have a clear idea of how VET can contribute to the process and, consequently, bring benefits to their business.

Partners intend to tackle this issue with the following activities:

• To initiate and establish VET provider cooperation with European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) ;
• To develop and implement joint VET promotion campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of C-VET for fostering companies’ competitiveness ;
• To develop materials and tools to technically support SMEs in unveiling skills gaps for the further development of their operations and how C-VET can help to address the identified gaps.

 

During the “Regional hubs for cooperation in and promotion of VET” activities, project partners reach out to European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) in their respective countries/regions. The possibility for collaboration and joint action with the EDIH in the chosen subjects (AI, VR, SI) will be exploited, for the sake of the ultimate beneficiaries of the training activities, and C-VET more broadly.

Together they will engage in joint VET promotion campaigns, pursuing the following objectives: 

• Raise awareness about the importance of C-VET for fostering companies’ competitiveness (by providing skills through lifelong learning),
• increase its attractiveness for companies and learners, and
• stimulate VET excellence thanks to enhanced linkages between Digital Innovation Hubs and SMEs.

Besides these overall objectives, partners will explore the possibility of using the promotion campaigns for identifying learners for the different learning activities that are organised in the frame of the piloting activities  and exchange information and good practices in VET.

The promotion campaigns are organised in different ways,  online or in presence.

In Austria, project partners will produce leaflets and infographics, in addition to webinars and workshops. It is planned that the subcontractors who contributed to the development of the training materials will be actively involved in the promotional activities mentioned. In addition, Austrian project partners will cooperate with the Digital Hub Vienna to organise an event to reach top innovative companies.

The Belgian project partners started with the development of a promotional video with the objective of promoting VET in some critical sectors in the Brussels region, following an anti-stereotyping approach. This first video focuses on the construction, mechanics, sales and horeca sector, showcasing role models in careers perceived as being very gender typed. In addition to the different corporate communication channels used, the Horeca and retail sector will collaborate in the dissemination of the video. Belgian project partners foresee to produce two more campaigns before the end of the project, in line with the same objective.

In Cyprus, on top of the general VET promotion campaigns, project partners plan to implement two events at national level: “Role of Artificial Intelligence and/or Virtual Reality in Circular Economy basics” and “Diversity in the Workplace – the Social Innovation factor”. With the first event, Cypriot project partners aim to help participants understand how AI/VR can bring innovation into their business practices as well as support their upskilling and re-skilling. The second event will focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees by fostering diversity thinking and implementation of inclusive practices; Cypriot partners will make a link to show how SI should be taken into consideration when an organization/business considers joining the Diversity Charter Cyprus (DCC), which is part of the European Platform of Diversity Charters of the European Commission and handled by CSI.

In France, project partners will take a first step into VET promotion and highlight social innovation as a key element in the integration of new technologies with their participation at VivaTech 2025 alongside Région Sud. During this event, the project’s mission and outcomes will be showcased, while French project partners will act as ambassadors for VET. This opportunity will also serve to build strong and effective links with the regional ecosystem.

Italian project partners have created a virtual tour mobility path composed of 4 corporate experiences from Italian companies using AI, VR and SI in the tourism sector. The virtual tour has been incorporated in the European Learning Experience platform as accompanying materials for the training modules in the tourism sector designed by the Italian partners and aimed at representatives of ITS and IFP networks, Chambers operators and companies.

In Latvia, regional matchmaking events for SMEs and VET schools will be organised. In addition, it is foreseen that VET schools host SMEs representatives with the objective of promoting VET with SMEs.

In Spain, an annual VET guiding fair is organised, in cooperation with all Spanish project partners and hosted by Terrassa City Council. The Guiding fair includes presentations on new professions, new trends on digital professions, new VET opportunities and training, in order to link VET and the labour market, as well as innovation ecosystem. The target group are VET teachers and trainers, VET learners, and company trainers and mentors. The event lasts for 2 days and welcomes between 100 and 200 participants.

In Türkiye, project partners plan to target at least 2 regional VET centres where the learner-centred teaching approach from the piloting phase will be shared as good practice with VET teachers. The aim is to generate a multiplier effect for the adoption of good practices.

Attractiveness and excellence of VET can be boosted via skills competitions, which foster and empower professional development of learners to take a step further in their career. It is with that objective in mind that Skills competitions are going to be organised from the second half of 2025 onwards. They are to serve as a tool for informal education while bringing concrete benefits to the companies taking part.

Based on a common methodology, each regional hub is in charge of identifying a challenge, selecting participants (most likely, but not only, among those who participate in the capacity building sessions), organise and set up regional competitions targeting professionals.

The type of challenges foreseen at this stage, but subject to change, are:

• Digitalisation of a business either at company or process level: professionals are required to use co-working tools to understand the needs of the specific company and exploit AI or VR technologies to address those needs with the intention to make the company more efficient and greener, i.e., producing more efficiently and sustainably, reducing its CO2 footprint.
• Development of a social innovation business plan for a company that integrates life-long learning as key element in the company’s operation.
• Prototype development, testing and market validation.

 

The outcomes of the skills competitions will be published in a “skills competitions report” and will serve as further promotion tool of C-VET for lifelong learning.

Besides, the project partners will develop an “SMEs Skills Diagnosis Handbook” that will i.a. allow companies to detect their human capital needs based on self-evaluation and how to train employees while keeping the companies’ activities ongoing.

After the development of the handbook, the project partners will test it with selected SMEs from their regions and collect feedback. Based on the feedback gathered, the handbook will be adapted and the final version translated into all partners’ languages.

 

VET Councils for sustainable governance and funding

The question of VET governance and funding is addressed in the “VET Councils for sustainable governance and funding” work package.

Two good VET governance practices have been pre-identified for the EULEP project and those good practices are to inspire the project partners for improving VET governance at their respective level.

The partners will develop smart VET strategies for AI, VR, SI that are to be embedded in wider regional/national economic development strategies. The strategies will be accompanied by concrete action plans that will look beyond the project’s lifetime and consider all financial aspects, making best use of regional, national and/or EU funding.

The adaptation process experience will be summarised in a VET Council Handbook, that is to describe VET Council and Cluster practices and offer the reader tips on how to set up VET Council or Cluster structures. The handbook will be accompanied by a toolkit offering practical tips and guidance for the VET Council’s daily operations.