FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project
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FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa has completed in Spain Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT (Sustainability in TCLF) pilot programme, a new stage aimed at transferring the knowledge acquired during the initial online learning phase into real-life contexts.

This second phase has combined specialised training, active methodologies and project development linked to sustainability in the textile sector, consolidating the progress of the programme in Spain.

The SiT project is part of the Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation programme and brings together partners from different European countries with the aim of promoting new green, digital, functional and transversal skills in the TCLF sectors (textiles, clothing, leather and footwear). In Spain, FPEmpresa leads Work Package 4, focused on the design and development of the training pilot.

Following an initial phase centred on online learning through a specialised MOOC, Phase 2 was developed under the Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology, encouraging the practical application of knowledge through activities connected to the current challenges of the sector. The programme included three training seminars, one online and two face-to-face sessions held in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as a specific stage devoted to the development of sustainable business plans.

Three seminars connecting training and sustainability

The first session took place on 17 February in an online format under the title Circular Economy in the Textile Sector. It brought together 46 participants, including teachers, students and representatives of associated centres. The lecture, delivered by Paloma G. López, explored the evolution of the circular economy applied to the textile sector, eco-design in fashion and European sustainability regulations, while also presenting real examples of business innovation.

The second event was held on 13 March at IES Leonardo Da Vinci in Madrid and was attended by 103 people. The session, Textile Waste Management with Social and Environmental Impact, was led by Ana Gómez, who analysed the main challenges and opportunities in textile waste management, highlighting the role of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) and the importance of the social and solidarity economy as a generator of employment and inclusion.

The phase concluded on 14 April at Institut Anna Gironella de Mundet in Barcelona, also in a hybrid format, with the seminar The Textile Industry and the EU Green Transition: Regulation, Innovation and New Business Models. The event gathered 50 in-person attendees and 25 online participants, and provided an opportunity to explore issues such as the circular economy, eco-design, the new European regulatory framework and the opportunities arising from the sustainable transition.

Overall, the three seminars delivered during Phase 2 attracted a total of 224 participants, reflecting the strong interest generated by this specialised training initiative focused on sustainability in the TCLF sector.

In addition to the specialised training, Phase 2 also included an entrepreneurial dimension through the development of business plans linked to the TCLF sector. A total of seven proposals were submitted, allowing students and participants to work on skills such as creativity, market analysis, innovation, sustainability, problem-solving and business vision, applying the project content to ideas with real growth potential.

With the completion of this stage, the project now moves forward towards new international experiences. Selected participants will take part in a bootcamp in Greece, while the programme will later continue with a Phase 3 focused on Work-Based Learning (WBL), including mobility activities in Italy aimed at company placements and professional shadowing opportunities for teachers.

FPEmpresa and Fundación Repsol Renew Their Alliance to Continue Promoting Sustainability in Vocational Education and Training
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FPEmpresa and Fundación Repsol Renew Their Alliance to Continue Promoting Sustainability in Vocational Education and Training

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa and Fundación Repsol have renewed their collaboration agreement with the aim of continuing to promote sustainability in Vocational Education and Training (VET) through new initiatives aimed at educational centres, teachers, and students.

This renewal continues a strategic alliance launched in 2025 around the Zinkers FP platform, designed to prepare students to face future challenges related to the energy transition and sustainability.

Following the positive results of the first year of collaboration, both organisations are now strengthening their shared commitment through a new roadmap that will consolidate and expand the reach of the initiatives launched so far. These include the promotion of new training actions for teachers, the ongoing dissemination of specialised resources, and support for educational centres in incorporating sustainability as a cross-cutting learning axis.

During 2025, the collaboration between FPEmpresa and Fundación Repsol helped advance the implementation of Zinkers FP as the leading educational programme for delivering the contents of the Cross-Curricular Sustainability Module. By the end of the year, 1,414 VET centres were actively using the platform, with 2,830 active teachers and 2,217 students from the 2025–2026 academic year already working with its resources. In addition, 381 centres associated with FPEmpresa were registered on the platform, representing 53% of the Association’s network of centres.

New Lines of Work for 2026

The renewal of the agreement will strengthen the presence of Zinkers FP within the communication channels and training spaces of FPEmpresa, while continuing to develop workshops, webinars, and other initiatives focused on teacher training in sustainability. Likewise, both organisations will continue promoting communication and outreach actions to bring these resources closer to the wider educational community.

Among the new developments planned for this next phase is the promotion of recognition and engagement initiatives linked to Zinkers FP, as well as new actions aimed at sharing best practices and experiences developed by centres, such as the Premios Zinkers FP.

The continuation of this alliance reaffirms the commitment of both organisations to a VET system connected to sustainability, prepared to respond to future challenges, and capable of providing students with training aligned with the new demands of the labour market.

FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet Recognise Innovation with the Winners of the 5th Vocational Education Knowledge Transfer Awards
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FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet Recognise Innovation with the Winners of the 5th Vocational Education Knowledge Transfer Awards

  • The call gathered 64 projects from 44 educational centres across Spain, confirming the continued growth of this initiative.
  • The winners, from centres in La Rioja, Valencia, Murcia and Barcelona, addressed challenges such as post-mastectomy recovery, rising cyberbullying, home accessibility for women with disabilities, and more sustainable alternatives to menstrual hygiene products.
  • In this edition, submitted videos reached more than 84,000 views and exceeded 22,000 likes, reflecting strong public impact and engagement.

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa and Esprinte Group have announced the winners of the fifth edition of the Vocational Education Knowledge Transfer Awards, an initiative that highlights student talent and their ability to develop innovative solutions to real societal challenges.

This year’s edition featured a total of 64 projects from 44 educational centres across Spain, demonstrating the growing interest in initiatives that connect education with the productive sector. In addition, the fifth edition generated significant visibility, with more than 84,000 views and 22,000 likes on the project videos submitted by participating centres.

The Vocational Education Knowledge Transfer Awards aim to foster both technical and transversal skills among students, while promoting gender equality in vocational fields where female participation remains limited. In this regard, all submitted projects addressed the challenge of designing technological solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with particular attention to SDG 5, focused on gender equality.

Projects Connecting VET with Societal Challenges

The jury assessed participants’ critical thinking in problem-solving, the development of technical skills across different vocational fields, and the promotion of innovation, proactivity, and teamwork as key pillars for continuous improvement.

The awards are endowed with €5,000 for first prize, €3,300 for second prize, and two third prizes of €1,850 each, shared between the educational centre, teachers, and participating students.

The winning teams of this fifth edition were:

1st Prize: Centro Sagrado Corazón Jesuitas Logroño.

2nd Prize: CIPFP Misericordia.

3rd Prize: IES Gerardo Molina.

3rd Prize: Institut Escola del Treball.

Centro Sagrado Corazón Jesuitas Logroño received first prize with a project focused on improving the recovery of mobility and strength in the arm of women who have undergone a mastectomy after breast cancer. Their solution proposes the design and prototyping of a low-cost functional exoskeleton, produced through 3D printing, aimed at facilitating rehabilitation and improving patients’ quality of life.

From CIPFP Misericordia, winners of second prize, the focus was placed on an increasingly common issue: the rise of cyberbullying, sextortion, and other forms of digital violence. To address this, the centre proposed an interactive device located in private spaces that offers immediate and confidential support, information, and guidance to those in need.

IES Gerardo Molina and Institut Escola del Treball were awarded the two third prizes. The first project focuses on improving the accessibility of household electrical panels for women with visual impairments or reduced mobility through a system with tactile Braille labelling and mobile alerts in case of incidents. Meanwhile, the project from Institut Escola del Treball addresses the drawbacks of traditional menstrual hygiene products with the design of a reusable menstrual cup incorporating a sensory ring capable of indicating pH changes through colour variations.

FPEmpresa holds its 2026 Annual General Assembly
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FPEmpresa holds its 2026 Annual General Assembly

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa, held its 2026 Annual General Assembly on 10 March 2026. During the meeting, member centres reviewed the work carried out over the past year and learned about the main lines of action planned for the coming period.

The session was held in a hybrid format, allowing participation both online through the Microsoft Teams platform and in person at IES Felipe Trigo in Móstoles (Madrid), with the aim of facilitating attendance for all member centres.

During the Assembly, several key points related to the Association’s activity were addressed, including the approval of the minutes from the 2025 Assembly, as well as an update on the number of member centres that are part of the FPEmpresa network.

One of the central moments of the meeting was the presentation of the 2025 Management Report, which outlined the main initiatives, projects, and activities promoted by the Association over the past year.

In addition, progress on the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan was reviewed, analysing the level of achievement of the established objectives and the lines of work that will continue to be developed in the coming years to strengthen the role of Vocational Education and Training and collaboration between educational centres and companies.

Financial management and planning for the new financial year

From a financial perspective, members reviewed the accounts corresponding to the 2025 financial year, as well as the budget forecast for 2026, which sets the Association’s priorities for the upcoming year. The 2026 Management Plan was also presented, outlining the main actions and projects that FPEmpresa will implement to continue strengthening the network of VET centres and its connection with the business sector.

The Assembly also included the approval of the Association’s Annual Document, as well as a final session for questions and remarks, where members were able to share proposals, reflections, and suggestions for the future of the organisation.

Eco-Digithon Spain concludes its second edition with a day strongly focused on innovation and sustainability
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Eco-Digithon Spain concludes its second edition with a day strongly focused on innovation and sustainability

On 17 and 18 March, the second edition of Eco-Digithon Spain took place, organised by FPEmpresa and Innogestiona Ambiental as part of the European project ENNE+ (Erasmus+). The event brought together VET students and educational centres in Madrid to share innovative proposals related to sustainability, digitalisation, and entrepreneurship.

The in-person session was held on 17 March at San Blas Digital – School of Digital Skills, following an initial phase carried out within the participating centres, where teams collaboratively prepared the materials and presentations for their projects.

During today’s session, 18 March, and after the jury’s deliberation, the winning projects of the second edition of Eco-Digithon were announced in a brief online session. The first prize was awarded to IES Francisco de Quevedo for its project PlastiScore Verified – Intelligent Plastic Packaging Counting Index, which received €1,000 in equipment for the centre, a €250 gift card for the coordinating teachers, and the opportunity to participate in the 9th edition of the Social Hackathon Umbria. The initiative focuses on the development of a scanning application capable of identifying and counting plastic packaging through an intelligent tracking index. The proposal aims to facilitate monitoring and measurement of this type of waste, providing a useful tool to improve its management and move towards more sustainable and responsible models in plastic use.

The remaining awards were as follows:

  • Second prize went to Salesianos Atocha for Arganzuela Conectada, which received €750 in equipment for the centre. This project aims to improve life in the neighbourhood through real data collected using technology. It stems from listening to local residents and identifying specific issues such as the loss of green spaces, construction noise, traffic pollution, and overtourism. To address these challenges, it proposes a network of IoT sensors to measure these conditions, anticipate problems, and support better decision-making by both citizens and institutions.
  • Third prize was awarded to IES San Blas for the project BeiOtA de San Blas, a smart garden powered by solar energy. The initiative seeks to apply real renewable technology and bring science and sustainability closer to primary school students through a STEM-based model. It received €500 in equipment for the centre.
  • Fourth prize went to Instituto Nebrija de FP for its project Green Campus, which received €300 in equipment for the centre. This initiative focuses on bringing together students from different training programmes to solve a real challenge: transforming a traditional educational centre into a Smart Campus.

The evaluation committee was composed of Patricia Mora (Director of Innogestiona Ambiental), Elena Argudo (Director of the Association of VET Centres FPEmpresa), Carlos de Olagüe (Madrid Regional Coordinator at FPEmpresa and Vice President of EfVET), Nuria Villareal (Head of Entrepreneurship at the Directorate-General for VET Centres and Special Regime of the Community of Madrid), Carmen Valdés-Hevia (Manager of Education and Knowledge at Fundación Repsol), and Gloria Iglesias (Manager of Education and Knowledge at Fundación Repsol).

Selecting the winning projects was not an easy task for the jury, as all proposals stood out for their innovation, quality, and strong conceptual development. The high level of the projects made the deliberation particularly complex, given the well-developed ideas and the relevance of their approaches.

Note: To consult the rest of the projects, please click here.

A space to learn, collaborate, and connect ideas

The in-person event on 17 March began with an institutional welcome and a presentation of the ENNE+ project, followed by two keynote sessions focused on entrepreneurship and sustainability in Vocational Education and Training. Specifically, Mónica Castilla Baylos, Head of Entrepreneurs and SMEs at the Directorate-General for Entrepreneurship – Madrid Emprende (Madrid City Council), delivered the talk How to Start a Business in Madrid? Meanwhile, Carmen Valdés-Hevia Temprano, Education Manager at Fundación Repsol, presented Learning to Decide, Learning to Transform: Sustainability in VET.

After a coffee break, the spotlight shifted to the participating teams, who presented their projects in a session that lasted throughout the morning. The event then continued with a dedicated space to identify synergies between proposals, where teams were able to explore each initiative in more depth, gather feedback from other participants, and open new opportunities for collaboration between centres and innovative ideas.

The session concluded with an evaluation moment, a “call for synergies” between projects, and the institutional closing of the event, accompanied by acknowledgements and a final group photo.

CaixaBank Dualiza and FPEmpresa select the 29 best guidance projects towards Vocational Education and Training in the 7th edition of Dualiza Orienta
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CaixaBank Dualiza and FPEmpresa select the 29 best guidance projects towards Vocational Education and Training in the 7th edition of Dualiza Orienta

  • The call continues its sustained growth and strengthens its nationwide reach, setting a new record in the number of submitted projects.
  • In this edition, 202 applications were received—22% more than in 2025—from 181 educational institutions.

Fundación CaixaBank Dualiza and FPEmpresa have selected the 28 best guidance projects towards Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the 7th edition of the Dualiza Orienta Call, an initiative aimed at promoting new ways of bringing VET closer to students through practical experiences, technology, and competency-based guidance.

The call continues its sustained growth and strengthens its nationwide reach, setting a new record in the number of submitted projects. In this edition, 202 applications were received—22% more than in 2025—from 181 educational institutions.

Catalonia, the Valencian Community, and Andalusia remain the regions with the highest number of proposals, while Madrid, the Canary Islands, and Murcia have doubled the number of projects submitted compared to the previous edition.

More real-life experiences, technology, and personalised guidance

The projects submitted reflect a clear evolution in the guidance model: more experiential activities, greater curricular integration, an increasing focus on talent and competencies, and a stronger role for guidance counsellors in the initiatives presented.

In fact, initiatives that promote active student participation are becoming more established through visits to VET centres and open days. Innovative formats based on real-life experiences—such as podcasts, video podcasts, and gamified activities—are also expanding. Methodologies based on interests, competencies, and AI tools are growing, as are projects developed across multiple sessions integrated into tutoring. Peer mentoring is gaining importance, with VET students acting as role models, and the use of physical or digital “passports” is becoming established as a tracking tool. In addition, Basic VET is taking on an increasingly prominent role, both as a guiding group and as a key audience in facilitating the transition to Intermediate Level VET.

Territorial diversity and sector representation

The 28 selected projects come from 16 autonomous communities, reinforcing the national scope of the call. Catalonia leads the selection with five initiatives, followed by the Basque Country and the Valencian Community (three each), and Extremadura (two). Andalusia, the Canary Islands, and Madrid also have two selected projects each.

The proposals cover a wide range of professional fields. There is a stronger presence of initiatives linked to STEAM areas, but also projects from sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, socio-cultural services, maritime-fishing, and services.

Among the selected actions, the following stand out:

  • The integration of simulators, virtual reality, or “Reality Lab”-type environments.
  • The development of STEAM challenges and practical workshops connected to the productive environment.
  • The promotion of competency-based guidance and the ambassador role of VET students.
  • Strengthening links with companies, alumni, and local stakeholders.
  • Promoting gender equality in sectors with a gender participation gap.

Of the selected centres, 24 are public and 4 are state-funded private schools, and 18 are part of the FPEmpresa network.

A well-established call as a benchmark in VET guidance

Dualiza Orienta has become one of the leading initiatives in the field of educational guidance towards Vocational Education and Training. Over its seven editions, it has supported projects that connect educational centres, companies, and the productive environment, bringing professions closer to students through real and contextualised experiences.

The continuous growth in applications, territorial diversity, and the methodological quality of the proposals confirm the maturity and impact of this call.

You can consult all the information and the list of selected projects at the following link.

FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project
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FPEmpresa and CCIB complete Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT Project

The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa has completed in Spain Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ SiT (Sustainability in TCLF) pilot programme, a new stage aimed at transferring the knowledge acquired during the initial online learning phase into real-life contexts.

This second phase has combined specialised training, active methodologies and project development linked to sustainability in the textile sector, consolidating the progress of the programme in Spain.

The SiT project is part of the Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation programme and brings together partners from different European countries with the aim of promoting new green, digital, functional and transversal skills in the TCLF sectors (textiles, clothing, leather and footwear). In Spain, FPEmpresa leads Work Package 4, focused on the design and development of the training pilot.

Following an initial phase centred on online learning through a specialised MOOC, Phase 2 was developed under the Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology, encouraging the practical application of knowledge through activities connected to the current challenges of the sector. The programme included three training seminars, one online and two face-to-face sessions held in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as a specific stage devoted to the development of sustainable business plans.

Three seminars connecting training and sustainability

The first session took place on 17 February in an online format under the title Circular Economy in the Textile Sector. It brought together 46 participants, including teachers, students and representatives of associated centres. The lecture, delivered by Paloma G. López, explored the evolution of the circular economy applied to the textile sector, eco-design in fashion and European sustainability regulations, while also presenting real examples of business innovation.

The second event was held on 13 March at IES Leonardo Da Vinci in Madrid and was attended by 103 people. The session, Textile Waste Management with Social and Environmental Impact, was led by Ana Gómez, who analysed the main challenges and opportunities in textile waste management, highlighting the role of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) and the importance of the social and solidarity economy as a generator of employment and inclusion.

The phase concluded on 14 April at Institut Anna Gironella de Mundet in Barcelona, also in a hybrid format, with the seminar The Textile Industry and the EU Green Transition: Regulation, Innovation and New Business Models. The event gathered 50 in-person attendees and 25 online participants, and provided an opportunity to explore issues such as the circular economy, eco-design, the new European regulatory framework and the opportunities arising from the sustainable transition.

Overall, the three seminars delivered during Phase 2 attracted a total of 224 participants, reflecting the strong interest generated by this specialised training initiative focused on sustainability in the TCLF sector.

In addition to the specialised training, Phase 2 also included an entrepreneurial dimension through the development of business plans linked to the TCLF sector. A total of seven proposals were submitted, allowing students and participants to work on skills such as creativity, market analysis, innovation, sustainability, problem-solving and business vision, applying the project content to ideas with real growth potential.

With the completion of this stage, the project now moves forward towards new international experiences. Selected participants will take part in a bootcamp in Greece, while the programme will later continue with a Phase 3 focused on Work-Based Learning (WBL), including mobility activities in Italy aimed at company placements and professional shadowing opportunities for teachers.

FPEmpresa takes part in the ENNEPlus project meeting in Guimarães
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FPEmpresa takes part in the ENNEPlus project meeting in Guimarães

The Association of Vocational Training Centres, FPEmpresa has attended the Transnational Partner Meeting (TPM) of the European project ENNEPlus, held on 14 and 15 January in Guimarães (Portugal). This international event brought together the consortium’s partner organisations to advance the development of the project’s different lines of work.

The meeting took place at the Eurostars Santa Luzia Hotel and enabled a joint review of the progress achieved, as well as coordination of upcoming actions related to social incubation, VET staff mobility, the organisation of Eco-Digithons and the definition of long-term action plans.

During the first day, a central part of the work focused on the Social Incubation Programme, including the presentation of the results achieved by the different project partners and the development of collaborative workshops aimed at identifying current and potential impacts of the social incubation process. In this context, FPEmpresa, together with Innogestiona Ambiental, presented the results obtained.

In addition, VET staff mobility for “job shadowing” placements in educational institutions and companies was addressed, analysing schedules, roles, responsibilities and potential risks, as well as the organisation of the process and support for candidates.

The day continued with the planning of the second round of Eco-Digithons at national and international level, during which the Association presented the organisation of its national edition, in coordination with the rest of the partners.

Mentoring and looking ahead

The second day of the meeting was devoted to aligning mentoring processes with the management and facilitation of the ENNEPlus project’s Community of Practice (CoP), as well as integrating dissemination and communication activities within this community. These sessions made it possible to coordinate timelines, support tools and the role of the different partners and European networks involved.

Another key area focused on the participatory design of long-term action plans, through working sessions in national groups followed by a joint discussion of strategies to engage local stakeholders, define target audiences and plan upcoming actions. In this context, FPEmpresa and Innogestiona Ambiental jointly presented their strategy and lines of action.

The meeting concluded with the finalisation of the project methodology and the planning of the associated dissemination activities, including graphic materials, digital content and communication actions through the website of the European ENNEPlus project.

FPEmpresa Leads the First Online Learning Phase of the European SiT Project
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FPEmpresa Leads the First Online Learning Phase of the European SiT Project

The Association of Vocational Training Centres, FPEmpresa, in collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona, has taken on a key role in the launch of the pilot phase of the European SiT project with the start of its first phase in November, focused on online learning. This initial stage, already underway, involves the participation of eight trainers in Spain, who are responsible for training students and professionals from the TCLF sector, the target audience of the courses.

The programme consists of two specific training curricula, aimed at fostering innovation in education and training in this field, with particular emphasis on the development of green skills.

The European SiT project is part of the Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation programme. It is coordinated by ITKAM – the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany and involves 15 partners from eight European Union countries: Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia and Slovakia.

A MOOC for the development of key competences

Within the framework of the project, FPEmpresa leads Work Package 4, focused on the design and development of a training pilot. Its first phase centres on a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), aimed at promoting the acquisition of functional, transversal, digital and green competences, contributing to the academic and professional development of students and professionals in the textile sector.

The online phase of the pilot includes two learning pathways, each structured into nine modules and concluding with an online certification exam delivered through ICEP’s dedicated certification platform, with a validity of five years.

The first course corresponds to the Bio-Textile Technician profile (Level 5 of the MECU), focused on the use of biological and biodegradable materials to reduce the environmental impact of production processes. The second course targets the Recycling Manager profile (Level 6 of the MECU), centred on the efficient management of textile recycling and the application of circular economy principles.

Both courses address content related to sustainability, digitalisation, quality control, regulation, leadership and transversal skills, shaping a training offer aligned with the current and future needs of the sector.

The launch of this online learning phase represents a first step in validating the training content of the SiT project. In later stages, the pilot will be complemented by face-to-face training, project-based learning (PBL), an international camp in Greece and work-based learning (WBL), consolidating a comprehensive training pathway.

FPEmpresa attends the EfVET 2025 Conference on Well-Being and Digitalisation
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FPEmpresa attends the EfVET 2025 Conference on Well-Being and Digitalisation

The Association of Vocational Training Centres, FPEmpresa, attended the 34th edition of the EfVET Annual Conference, held from 22 to 25 October in the city of Fátima (Portugal). Representing FPEmpresa was Carlos de Olagüe, Vice President of Membership and Communication at EfVET and Regional and International Coordinator of the Association. The event, entitled “Well-Being in a Digitalised World – Crafting the Future of VET 2035,” focused on how Vocational Education and Training (VET) can adapt to the digital world while maintaining a supportive educational and professional environment for students, teachers and institutions.

The conference addressed two major challenges facing Vocational Education and Training: improving the well-being of students, teachers and centres, and rethinking the role of VET in light of technological advances, the growing emphasis on work-based learning and the difficulty that still exists in many countries for it to be viewed as a first-choice educational pathway.

Days of intense debate

Over the course of four days, the event brought together more than 450 participants, including policymakers, trainers, researchers and industry representatives. One of the key topics discussed was digitalisation, with issues such as artificial intelligence, automation and remote work, and how these are redefining both skills development and learning environments.

The theme of well-being was explored on three key levels, as outlined in the programme: that of students, of teachers and managers, and the role of employers in fostering a healthy working culture. “The future of VET depends on integrating technology in an intelligent and balanced way. It’s not just about preparing young people for a digital labour market, but also about caring for their emotional health and personal development,” said Carlos de Olagüe.

The event made it clear that digitalisation is not merely a technical challenge, but a cultural one — requiring a shift where emotional health, social connection, work-life balance and digital inclusion become essential pillars. The conference underlined that, looking ahead to 2035, well-being must be considered a fundamental component alongside technical skills and employability.

The programme also included study visits to Portuguese VET centres, matchmaking sessions for new international projects, high-level panels with EU policymakers and VET experts, and workshops focused on developing new training tools and innovative methodologies.

Consequently, the EfVET 2025 Conference in Fátima has set the roadmap for the coming years, establishing quality of life and personal balance as key criteria for the future of a digitalised Vocational Education and Training system.