Start Date:
06/12/2024
End Date:
31/10/2025
Mode:
Blended
OBJECTIVES
- To upskill VET professionals (trainers, teachers, in-company trainers, researchers), to innovate curricula and the delivered teaching/training activity to support the digital eco innovation in the Advanced Manufacturing sector.
- To promote the design/re-design of VET curricula and training programmes to increase internationalization, inclusion and gender sensitiveness and a T-shaped approach.
MAIN TOPICS
- Eco-digital innovation in Advanved Manufacturing (AM)
- Transition to a digital circular economy
- Skills intelligence and evolution of skills demand in the AM sector
- The ESCO database as a resource for VET professionals
- Innovative design principles, methodologies and approaches for responsive VET curricula and training programmes
- Validation of competencies and new certification schemes
FORMAT
- N. 48 training hours in total
- Delivered in English and national languages
- Modular structure
- Blended format
- Mixed learning: syncronous and asyncronous
- Proficiency level: advanced
UPSKILLING PROGRAMME FOR VET PROFESSIONALS – AGENDA
Thursday morning, from 9.30 to 12.30 CET *
*Always accessible through the same free link
Date
06/12/2024
Duration
09.30 – 11.30 CET
Topic
Harnessing the power of digital eco-innovation to underpin the circular economy
The purpose of this two-hour training session is to explain the concepts and principles that (1) underpin the circular economy; and (2) how digital technologies are able to reduce environmental and climate impact.
Topics
- Definition of circular economy and its principles
- Concept of digital eco-innovation
- Key examples of digital-eco innovation and digital circular economy, and best practices
- Optimising the use of natural resources (materials, energy, water and land)
- Reducing harmful substances (including GHGs)
Key Takeaway
How to embark on a circular economy underpinned by digital eco-innovation
In deepening materials:
- Boosting Circular Economy Innovation through Emerging Technologies Application
- Eco-Innovation and Digital Transformation Relationship – Circular Economy as a Focal Point
- Eco-Innovation and Digitalisation
- Eco-Innovation Diversity in a Circular Economy – Towards Circular Innovation Studies
- Linking Eco-Innovation and Circular Economy
Speaker
Richard Pagett
Full Professor of Sustainable Development at the European Centre for Peace and Development, Belgrade, Serbia established by the UN University for Peace
Professor Richard Pagett has a background in the earth and environmental sciences and has worked on dozens of assignments around the world covering, currently, more than 185 countries, mostly at governmental level. He has worked on many environmental issues in such fields as coastal zone management, air and water quality, waste management, power, transportation, health, education, agriculture, fisheries and forests, natural resources and biodiversity, rural and urban development, industry, tourism, and governance.Bringing much of his observational work together, he published “Building Global Resilience” in 2018 in which he outlines the principal global challenges and proposes some potential solutions. Essentially he recognises that the world as a whole will need to adapt using different economical and societal models. The circular economy and eco-innovation is a natural precursor to this.
Date
12/12/2024
Duration
09.30 – 12.30 CET
Topic
Introduction to ESCO and its use in the Education and Training Sector
This session will provide a comprehensive introduction to ESCO, covering its structure, how is it updated, and key use cases. Participants will also learn how ESCO incorporates green and digital labels within its classification and how it can be used to link the learning outcomes of qualifications to ESCO skills.
Speaker
Valentina Grganovic
Labor Market Consultant for the ESCO Project (European Commission), employed by NTT Data
I hold a Master’s degree in European Affairs and have always been passionate about EU policies, particularly in human capital development and employment strategies. This interest grew from my early professional experiences at the European Training Foundation (ETF), where I explored the connection between education, skills development, and employment. Currently, I work as a Labor Market Consultant for the European Commission’s ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations) project. In this role, I manage stakeholder relations, oversee communications, and support classification content development. What excites me most is the opportunity to work with a tool that opens up countless possibilities, enabling the labour market and education sectors to speak the same language – the one of skills and occupations.
Topic
An EU approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability
Before looking at micro-credentials, Isabel Ladrón Arroyo provides a brief overview of the European Union’s skills development policy and the context in which they are embedded. She then presents the rationale and essence of the Council Recommendation of 16 June 2022 on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability. Isabel also shows how the European Commission is currently supporting the implementation of the Council Recommendation and some useful tools and research to operationalize the European approach to micro-credentials.
Speaker
Isabel Ladrón Arroyo
Officer for micro-credentials and inclusion in VET
Isabel Ladrón Arroyo works as a policy officer in the European Commission’s DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, where she is responsible for micro-credentials and inclusion in VET. Prior to joining the European Commission, she has experience in the private and NGO sectors, working on VET mobility, youth unemployment and young people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Her background is in communication and during her Masters in Global Studies she specialised in youth inequalities across Europe. She was part of the European Commission’s Junior Professional Programme.
Topic
Introduction to European Digital Credentials for Learning – Find the tools for digitalising certificates, diplomas, and other learning credentials
The European Commission makes available a full infrastructure to create, issue, view, store, share and verify European Digital Credentials for Learning (EDC).In a digitalising world, we still often rely on paper credentials to certify our learning, sharing scans, pdf documents or pictures to prove our learning experiences.
EDC is a format for natively digital credentials, that allow you to trust the origin of the credential and instantly verify that it has not been tampered with. They allow you to highlight valuable information such as learning achievements and acquired learning outcomes (skills, knowledge and competences), which can even be linked to skills from the skills taxonomy.
This multi-lingual format is designed to promote the cross-border recognition of credentials. Join this session to learn more about the benefits of European Digital Credentials for Learning, and what tools are available to you to start issuing EDCs.
Speaker
Kia Likitalo
European Digital Credentials for Learning Implementation Support – NTT DATA
Kia Likitalo has built her career as a consultant for a variety of EU projects. Specialised in the Digital Labour Market, she focuses on the role of (micro)credentialling to support education and labour mobility and recognition. She is currently responsible for authoring technical documentation and communication materials and delivering these to a diverse group of stakeholders via online publications, presentations and webinars. She is providing support for the European Digital Credentials for Learning and Europass projects. With a strong background in user support and communications, she is a key contributor to the outreach of the European Learning Model and the lead facilitator of European Digital Credentials for Learning adoption.
Date
23/01/2025
Duration
09.30 – 12.30 CET
Topic
Cedefop’s skills intelligence and VET trends in advanced manufacturing sub-sectors
Cedefop will provide an overview of EU labour market and skills intelligence trends, focusing on selected advanced manufacturing (AM) sectors and occupations. The session will emphasise the impact of the twin transition—digital and green- on employment and skills in the sector. Participants will explore Cedefop’s skills intelligence tools, and share feedback on how these trends are reflected in their regions.
Speakers
Stelina Chatzichristou
Expert and team facilitator, Skills intelligence and foresight team – Cedefop
Stelina Chatzichristou is an expert in the Department for VET and skills at Cedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training. She is leading Cedefop’s research on jobs, skills and vocational education and training (VET) for the green transition and sectoral skills developments. Stelina coordinates the skills intelligence and foresight team and contributes to the Centre’s research on skills anticipation and skills governance. Before joining Cedefop, Stelina worked as a researcher and policy analyst in the private sector. In that capacity, she has worked on and managed projects on national and EU comparative analysis on VET, skills and entrepreneurship. She is an economist and holds a BA and an MSc. from the University of Macedonia, Greece and an MSc. from the London School of Economics, UK
Aikaterini Tzafilkou
Expert in skills intelligence and foresight
Katerina Tzafilkou is an expert at the Department for VET and skills at the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP). As a member of the skills intelligence and foresight team, she contributes to research and analysis of skill trends and developments at sectoral and occupational level, focusing on digital skill trends. Katerina is responsible for updating and optimising Cedefop’s Skills Intelligence online tool. Katerina holds a PhD in the field of Human-Computer Interaction, an MSc in Information Systems, and a BSc in International and European Studies from the University of Macedonia (Greece). She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Digital Education and Technology-Enhanced Learning and worked for several years as an adjunct Lecturer at the University of Macedonia, International Hellenic University, and Hellenic Open University (Greece).
Topic
Skill evolution in advanced manufacturing sector in the digital and green transition
The intervention presents the key findings reported in the first technical report from the EXCEED International Observatory. It focuses on highlighting the current and future skill requirements in the advanced manufacturing sector. The intended takeaway is to provide insight into macro trends driving the change and to increase the knowledge of important skills in AM sector.
Speaker
The EXCEED Partnership
Date
20/03/2025
Duration
09.30 – 12.30 CET
Topic
Reflection and analysis on existing curricula, construction of improvement hypotheses, new tools
The objectives of the session are: stimulate reflection on the principles and approaches underlying existing EQF 4 and 5 curricula (IFTS, ITS) make an analysis of what works and share what is improvable acquire principles of good design with a view to continuing education and lifelong learning make hypotheses on how to develop new curricula, or redesign them, in continuity with what works and introducing ruptures and innovations test on themselves and share feedback on some useful tools to accompany professional reflexivity (e.g: sociogram, blazon) confronting beliefs and stereotypes and organizational and teaching modes that may hinder the participation, learning and professional growth of trainees becoming more aware of soft skills as well as technical skills to support the empowerment of professionals strengthening the international community of practice of designers experimenting with a research posture with respect to one’s own work that includes reflection, experimentation and transmission of new knowledge
Speaker
Gaia Del Negro
Researcher in Adult Education (CCCU, UK)
Gaia Del Negro, PhD, is a researcher in Adult Education (CCCU, UK) and teacher of Italian as a second and foreign language, currently specializing in Systemic Relational Counseling at the CMTF. She works as Evaluator of social projects and Trainer in community welfare with a participatory practice- and art- based approach. She is Secretariat for the Italian University Network for Lifelong Learning (RUIAP – Rete Universitaria Italiana per l’Apprendimento Permanente) and collaborates with the University of Milano Bicocca. She is involved in the Life History and Biography Network of ESREA – European Society for Research on the Education of Adults, the Feminist Imaginary Research Network, and the Experiential Translation Network. Her main research interest lies in professional self and knowledge, intercultural communication, and performative methods. She has published over 20 articled and chapters and curated one book on Transformative Learning. She writes in a blog https://www.enjoyitaliano.com.
Topic
EXCEED design principles
The main Topics of this session are:
- Design principles for responsive VET curricula in the AM sector and T-shaped professionals
- The EXCEED methodological guidelines for vet curricula design/redesign
- Customization of design principles for different targets: adults/workers and youth
Speaker
The EXCEED Partnership
Date
03/04/2025
Duration
09.30 – 12.30 CET
Topic
Emergence of beliefs and stereotypes, analysis of organisational arrangements, sharing of good design principles for lifelong learning
Building on the foundational work of the first session, the second session will deepen engagement with the principles and methodologies for designing effective EQF 4 and 5 curricula. This continuation aims to consolidate and expand the insights gained, integrating reflections into actionable strategies for curricular innovation.
Speaker
Gaia Del Negro
Researcher in Adult Education (CCCU, UK)
Gaia Del Negro, PhD, is a researcher in Adult Education (CCCU, UK) and teacher of Italian as a second and foreign language, currently specializing in Systemic Relational Counseling at the CMTF. She works as Evaluator of social projects and Trainer in community welfare with a participatory practice- and art- based approach. She is Secretariat for the Italian University Network for Lifelong Learning (RUIAP – Rete Universitaria Italiana per l’Apprendimento Permanente) and collaborates with the University of Milano Bicocca. She is involved in the Life History and Biography Network of ESREA – European Society for Research on the Education of Adults, the Feminist Imaginary Research Network, and the Experiential Translation Network. Her main research interest lies in professional self and knowledge, intercultural communication, and performative methods. She has published over 20 articled and chapters and curated one book on Transformative Learning. She writes in a blog https://www.enjoyitaliano.com.
Date
17/04/2025
Duration
09.30 – 11.30 CET
Topic
The NextSkills Framework for T-shaped professionals
In a future where professional and personal spheres are more interconnected than ever, the ability to design our own developmental pathways will be essential. As modern life continues to grow more complex and ambiguous, the demand for new competencies—known as Future Skills—is set to define our ability to thrive.
The NextSkills study (Ehlers, 2020) provides a forward-thinking framework, presenting 17 Future Skills profiles essential for navigating these challenges. Key among them are Design Thinking Competence, enabling individuals to address problems creatively, and Ambiguity Competence, vital for managing uncertainty, complexity, and heterogeneity in diverse contexts.
In this session, we will explore how the NextSkills Framework supports the development of the T-shaped professional, a concept representing individuals with both deep expertise in a specific domain and the adaptability to collaborate effectively across disciplines. This framework is a blueprint for preparing professionals to lead and innovate in the workplace of tomorrow.
Speaker
Ulf Ehlers
Full Professor for Educational Management and Lifelong Learning, and Scientific Director of the NextEducation Research Group
He held positions as Associate Professor of University Duisburg-Essen (Germany), Professor for Technology Enhanced Learning of University Augsburg (Germany) and Associate Professor of the Graduate School for Management and Technology of the University of Maryland University College (USA). Ulf has delivered keynotes and been speaking to audiences in more than 45 countries. He is author of more than 10 books and 150 scholarly articles with over 3000 academic citations. Ulf is a trained coach, facilitator and expert for mindful communication, and holds degrees in English Language, Social Sciences and Education Sciences from the University of Bielefeld, where he finished his Ph.D. with honours in the field of Technology Enhanced Learning in 2003. He was awarded his habilitation in 2008 from the University of Duisburg-Essen. His writings on Quality in education are internationally awarded.
Date
15/05/2025
Duration
09.30 – 12.30 CET
Topic
Foundations of Learning Analytics
Recent developments in learning analytics, which are a socio-technical data mining and analytic practice in educational contexts, show promise to support learning and teaching as well as to enhance study success in education through the analysis of data from learners, learning activities, and related contexts. This online workshop will highlight the conceptual foundation of learning analytics and related frameworks as well as benefits related to data and analytics in the context of learning, teaching, and educational decision making. Further, the workshop will provide a critical reflection on current research related to learning analytics. A mix of expert input and group discussions will enable participants to create awareness related to learning analytics and how specific benefits may be relevant for their own usecases.
Speaker
