The Digital WBL project partnership has achieved these main objectives: Innovation of pedagogical approaches and a quality framework that effectively supports the digital transformation of WBL experiences. Developed the "Digital VET Trainer Competence Framework," a modular framework of emerging digital competences for VET trainers, essential for innovating WBL methodologies, laboratory and online experiential learning. Encouraged VET trainers to acquire specific competences through the "Deal with Digital WBL" course, enabling them to design, deliver, evaluate and certify competences learned through Digital WBL experiences. Implemented the "Deal with Digital Work-based Learning" training platform, with over 50 hours of training content that effectively integrates digital technologies into WBL experiences. Created stimulating and inclusive opportunities for the professional development of VET Trainers, with webinars, workshops and accessible training materials. Enriched and made learning opportunities based on Digital WBL more attractive for learners, as demonstrated by the case studies and testimonials collected.
The digital transformation is profoundly redefining society, the labor market, and the economy. Rapid advances in artificial intelligence and automation are accelerating this transformation (CEDEFOP, 2024), while employers continue to report difficulties in finding personnel with skills adequate to emerging needs across all economic sectors (Eurostat, 2025). The "beacon" statistic from the Union of Skills (European Commission, 2025) that 4 out of 5 SMEs in the EU are unable to find the talent they need drives the rethinking of the entire vocational training system, starting with the key function of VET Teachers and Trainers. Indeed, driven by significant investments in digital infrastructure for schools enabled by Next Generation EU, today's VET systems face unprecedented pressure that requires rethinking experiential teaching methodologies: laboratory activities, Work Based Learning, apprenticeships, and all forms of learning in real work contexts must effectively integrate digital skills to respond to the new challenges of the European labor market (ETF, 2024). Deal with Digital WBL has responded to this training need.