Skills for the industry of the future

The digital transformation, the greening of the economy, and demographic change all generate a large and structural need for employees with technical and digital skills.

The lack of adequately skilled workers is a major issue in this context, which is only partially addressed by current Vocational Education and Training systems in Europe.

In this context, the SKILLNET project – Sector Skills Network of Vocational Education and Training centres in Advanced Manufacturing-, co-funded by the Erasmus+ program, is developing a transnational and national network for Vocational Education Training providers. This network offers opportunities for mutual learning, information on funding, and fosters partnerships to improve the quality and efficiency of VET in Europe.

Opportunities for regional stakeholders

To raise the quality and attractiveness of the provision of Vocational Education and Training, SKILLNET has created 4 thematic permanent groups composed of members belonging to the VET provider networks, and invites all stakeholders from the European VET scene to join the discussion.

• For regional authorities, SKILLNET is an opportunity to engage VET organisations in their territories in European activities & raise awareness on opportunities for collaboration & co-financing of activities
• for VET organisations, the clubs are an easy way to connect with peers and relevant stakeholders abroad
• The clubs provide mediated knowledge both general and specific on VET in Europe, and information that stakeholders can actually use (especially on funding opportunities)
• The clubs provide a framework for the development of joint initiatives and projects

The Peer Learning Clubs provide speaking opportunities at events for experts as well as the possibility to receive special mentions in sector-focused research papers. They are the main way for stakeholders to contribute to shaping the main trends of the future VET.

Topics addressed

PLC1 Advanced Manufacturing  Sector: This peer-learning group aims at pinpointing and analyzing challenges related to skill adaptation and anticipation as well as stakeholder relations.

PLC2 Advocacy & Policy  Influencing: The Vocational Education and  Training sector has its own voice in the EU, national, and regional areas. Coordinated actions ensuring that all actors’ interests are taken into account are key for policy development, and this peer-learning group will allow a deeper understanding of them.

PLC3 Work-based learning and standards: This peer-learning club tackles the assessment and the challenge of the implementation of the VET systems.

PLC4 Train the trainers: The aforementioned challenges will require a reinforced human dimension of the VET sector to build resilience and identify synergies among actors. Capacity building will have a key role in the future of VET, and this peer-learning club will allow the identification of key gaps and needs.

Join in 3 clicks!

The below illustrations shop how to join the platform in 3 easy steps (less than 30 seconds)

On the Skillman website, click on “Activities”, then “Events and Conferences” and then ” Peer Learning Clubs”

The next page will show an illustration with 4 coloured dots, showing the different Peer Learning Clubs. You can join either one or more groups by clicking on the dot of your choice.

Fill in name email and password, you’re there: join the conversation and meet peers to develop new projects!

AER’s role

AER joined the Skillnet consortium during Spring 2020 specifically because of the opportunities the project is offering for online activities relevant to both Committee 1 and Committee 3. At a time when face-to-face meetings are not possible, this project offers unparalleled opportunities for members.

Indeed the project is organising a high number of webinars and offers online platforms for the exchange of knowledge.

AER’s role is to facilitate mutual learning activities, to in fine improve the effectiveness and attractiveness of Vocationnal Education Training in Europe. AER provides information on EU funding opportunities and regional examples via a series of webinars and bulletins.

In order to make sure project activities provide value to members, the topics of SKILLNET webinars are chosen based on the AER Action Plan and further specified together with members who have expressed needs in the process of the definition of work programs at Committee meetings.

AER encourages members to engage stakeholders responsible for life long learning and vocational training across wider Europe to join one or more of the four topic-specific SKILLNET peer- learning clubs. Experts from diverse backgrounds: VET providers, companies, government representatives, and individuals are all welcome!

The SKILLNT – Sector Skills Network of VET centres in Advanced manufacturing- is a project co-financed by the Erasmus + programme. It has the objective to improve the quality of Vocational Education and Training centres systems while merging stakeholders to overcome the mismatch among education and industry’s need. It is coordinated by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) as a leading partner.

For more information on the SKILLNET peer learning clubs, please check the presentation below:

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash