-To enhance the digital competencies of vocational education teachers and trainers, in order to improve the quality of workplace-based vocational education and training. -To develop and implement innovative teaching methods that integrate digital technologies, in order to enhance learning outcomes and engage learners. -To establish a network of stakeholders in vocational education and training, including educators, trainers, and employers, to share best practices and promote collaboration. -To improve the quality standards of vocational education and training, by aligning with European quality frameworks and integrating digital competencies into the curricula.
The genesis of our project, “Strengthening Integration of Digital Competencies and Improving Quality Standards in Workplace-Based Vocational Education”, stemmed from a critical and widely observed need. First, the rapid digitalisation of workplaces across all sectors, from manufacturing to tourism, meant that digital skills were no longer optional but essential. This demand was confirmed by European Commission reports and Cedefop studies highlighting a growing “digital skills gap” across the continent. Second, teachers and trainers in workplace-based VET were often equipped with strong technical knowledge but lacked information in modern digital tools. Third, as quality standards in vocational education and training vary significantly between institutions and countries, there is a need to align digital competences with European quality assurance criteria. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had accelerated the urgency for digital transformation in education. Our project sought to counteract this regression by embedding sustainable digital practices into the very fabric of workplace-based VET.