Our goal in implementing the BESIDE project was to train financial professionals in line with European Digital Policy objectives, enhancing the digitization and quality of financial services. We aimed to equip them with skills in blockchain and other digital technologies to support their digital transformation. Additionally, we created a pilot course for ongoing vocational training in VET centers, ensuring that financial operators and clients stay updated with technological advancements. This would ultimately improve financial services, align training with labor market needs, and strengthen collaboration between the financial and VET sectors. By making the course content accessible to VET training centers, we ensured it could also be continuously updated and utilized as digital technologies evolve. This approach allows the financial sector to remain resilient and adaptive, providing comprehensive and digitally enhanced services. Furthermore, the project fosters collaboration between VET institutions and the financial industry, ensuring that the training is relevant and directly applicable to real-world challenges.
We applied for the BESIDE Project because it aligns with the partners' commitment to supporting digital transformation in the financial sector. Rapid advances in AI, robotics, and blockchain are reshaping the industry, but many financial professionals lack the training to adapt. This skills gap is preventing them from delivering efficient, customer-centric services. Through the project, we aimed to bridge this gap by offering an online course in 5 languages that specializes in blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT). The course is designed to improve the digital readiness and resilience of financial service providers, helping them meet evolving customer needs. In addition, the course has been proposed to VET centers to ensure it is aligned with market demand. BESIDE also fosters collaboration between educational institutions and businesses, ensuring a strong connection between workforce development and industry needs. It supports the EC's vision for high-quality, inclusive digital education. In short, we applied to bridge the digital education gap for financial professionals, enabling them to navigate the digital transformation and contribute to the modernization of the financial sector.