As circular economy is becoming mainstreamed in European automotive manufacturing (particularly with regards to iron/metallic parts), industries are striving to adhere to the latest cutting-edge practices in circular material welding (CMW) with embedded preventive maintenance systems (PMS) that would rapidly reduce corrosion, infrastructure and critical parts failures (breakage) and ultimately reduce/avoid severe injuries to employees and end-customers (society). Unfortunately, the skill shortage in the EU in this field is currently exceeding half a million labourers which, in the current stage, EU Vet centres are unable to produce neither via initial training (IVET) or continuous training (CVET). In this context, WELDNET has the general aim to develop a network of 5 centres of vocational excellence - COVEs (in particular regions from Greece (Central Macedonia), Romania (West Region), Austria (Multi-region), Serbia (Sumadija & Pomoravlje), Spain (Valencia)) capable to trigger regional skills ecosystems in the field of circular material welding & preventive maintenance in automotive manufacturing by providing long-term sustainable upskilling mechanisms (IVET/CVET) for workers/learners (including those with disabilities or from social groups at risk such as minorities/refugees). The COVEs will serve current & emerging regional industrial needs (according to the smart specialisation strategy of each region). WELDNET adopts a systemic approach to designing skills ecosystems around CMW/PMS in a living lab approach by aiming to massively transform the capacity of VET centres to upskill regional talent via public-private partnerships, shared infrastructure, fair mobility, use of public & private funds and upskilling that goes beyond technical elements, covering also life skills and support mechanisms for learners/workers with disabilities.