KNOWBOND aimed to bridge the existing gap between the educational offer and industrial demand concerning specific Adhesive Bonding activities at the EAB level, thus covering the need to qualify personnel working in this technological field. At the same time, it addressed the specific VET priorities of fostering the innovation of training programs in alignment with the market specific needs, thus fostering its implementation in other VET systems across Europe. During KNOWBOND a new training course (Specific European Adhesive Bonding Training – SEABT) was designed based on a modular approach (PR1), and in accordance with the current comprehensive EAB qualification, to ensure that new skills are more easily available to those who have acquired them as and when required, thus introducing a cumulative system for EAB curricula. By reviewing a European industry-lead profile and testing specific digital-based tools for learning widely recognized as International Qualifications in alignment with the industry requirements, the project will directly contribute for the promotion of new upskilling pathways and simultaneously the creation and development of flexible learning offers adapted to the learning needs of individuals and companies.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is crucial for personnel qualification, providing continuous development opportunities for company employees. An internationally recognized qualification system for adhesive bonding technology has existed for over 25 years. When the proposal for this project was drawn up, there were three levels of qualification: The European Adhesive Bonder course (EAB), , targeting personnel responsible for the entire adhesive bonding process; European Adhesive Specialist course (EAS) idesigned for supervisory staff and quality assurance; and the the European Adhesive Engineer course (EAE) for the technical decision-making level. In essence, KNOWBOND impact relies in the development of specific knowledge and skills for Window and Plastic Bonding activities, addressing individual needs that were previously unmet by the existing EAB training program. By effectively reducing the skills mismatch, KNOWBOND successfully bridges the gap by delivering tailored training aligned with the specific demands of the workplace. This achievement empowers professionals to continually grow in their respective roles.