Overview of the SEED Workshop
The SEED Workshop, held on September 18, 2024, centered on the sustainability and potential scalability of the SEED Center of Vocational Excellence (CoVE). Participants collaborated to evaluate their regional projects’ outcomes, prioritize next steps, and assess the broader impact on stakeholders. Through interactive tasks like the SEED Tac Toe and follow-up roadmaps, the workshop offered a structured platform for participants to reflect on achievements and identify strategies for long-term success.
The workshop focused on translating project results into updated curricula, fostering lifelong learning frameworks, supporting ecosystem development, and enhancing innovation and research efforts. Sustainability was emphasized as the foundation for scaling, with participants exploring opportunities to develop new programs, expand networks, and align activities with EU policies and funding instruments. These discussions highlighted how SEED initiatives could maintain relevance and deliver lasting impact for education and industry stakeholders.
Insights on Sustaining and Upscaling CoVEs
The workshop presentation provided valuable insights into sustaining and upscaling CoVEs, drawing from existing best practices. Sustaining a CoVE involves translating project outcomes into curricula, supporting lifelong learning, and fostering ecosystems where education, industry, and government work collaboratively. This ensures CoVEs remain responsive to evolving market demands while continuing to generate value beyond the project’s duration.
Scaling, as discussed, is a strategic choice rather than a requirement, building on a foundation of sustainability. Potential pathways for scaling include developing specialized programs, targeting new sectors, and expanding partnerships across regions. Opportunities for EU-wide expansion were also explored, with examples such as aligning CoVE activities with initiatives like the EU Hydrogen Academy or leveraging funding through Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and the Just Transition Fund. Success stories like LCAMP and PoVE Water served as inspiration for how SEED CoVEs could deepen their impact while aligning with broader European goals.
1. Sustaining regional cooperation
Participants from the workshop were asked to fill in a tic tac toe on the sustainability of their regional project yet. If participants feel confident and have a clear path forward in that area, they can fill in an X. If aspects need to be explored further, they should put an O.
Regional Summaries
Kozani
The Kozani region focused on building strong collaborations between universities, VET providers, and companies, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). They emphasized dynamic, market-relevant curricula and good practice implementation while exploring funding opportunities to ensure sustainability. Communication and outreach efforts, such as open info days, newsletters, and conferences, were prioritized, alongside plans for initiating new projects to enhance regional impact.
Valencia
Participants in Valencia highlighted the importance of networking and establishing a sustainable collaboration framework among VET institutions, universities, and firms. They emphasized project-based learning activities and the continuous integration of these into regional education practices. Moving forward, they aim to secure long-term funding, explore thematic workshops, and expand annual conferences to strengthen their ecosystem. Stakeholder contributions from partner institutions were noted as a critical asset for achieving these goals.
Utrecht
The Utrecht region focused on implementing tools such as the Bobby Energy Hub and consolidating a learning community to enhance collaboration. Efforts were directed at developing microcredentials, improving teacher responsiveness to market needs, and fostering joint educational efforts across institutions. They plan to deepen CoVE initiatives, engage stakeholders in co-designing education models, and organize regional conferences. Applied results from previous projects will be integrated into professional and responsive education models.
Bochum
Bochum’s efforts centered on upgrading their Energy Hub to enhance sustainable impact and foster regional networks. They emphasized tailoring training to market and industry needs, leveraging joint projects for optimized outcomes, and expanding the digital platform for hands-on training. Future plans include securing funding through German and EU calls, internationalizing their network, and scaling best practices like solar installations with live digital applications. Stakeholder workshops and exchanges are key to their strategy.
Common Conclusions
1. Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships between academia, VET providers, and industry is vital for sustaining and scaling project outcomes.
2. Funding: Identifying and securing sustainable funding (e.g., EU calls, Erasmus+, Just Transition Fund) is a shared priority to ensure continuity.
3. Knowledge Sharing: Disseminating best practices through conferences, digital platforms, and stakeholder workshops will maximize impact and accessibility.
4. Sustainability: Establishing robust frameworks, including learning communities and digital tools, ensures long-term benefits and scalability.
5. Expansion: All regions expressed a desire to explore new applications, thematic workshops, and international projects to extend the project’s influence.
2. Sustaining transnational cooperation
During the second phase of the workshop participants were asked to share their ideas on potential avenues for future transnational cooperation beyond the project, with the following results:
Key Activities:
• Exchange programs for students and lecturers.
• Development of publications, courses, and theses.
• Regional spin-off activities initiated after the SEED conference.
Collaborations and Partnerships:
• Sustaining the SEED conference and its community through cooperation partnerships.
• Expanding synergies created during the project.
• Increasing collaboration with more firms and businesses.
Innovative Practices:
• Exploring deeper integrations, such as expanding or combining the Bobby E-hub with other practices.
• Sharing and scaling best practices, including energy hubs and digital platforms.
Mobility and Community Building:
• Group mobility for VET learners to foster connections and learning opportunities.
Conclusion
The SEED Workshop provided a collaborative space for participants to share their experiences, identify practical solutions, and plan for the sustainable future of the SEED CoVE. By integrating project outcomes into educational and ecosystem frameworks, leveraging EU funding opportunities, and fostering collaboration, the workshop laid the groundwork for ensuring long-term impact and exploring pathways for scaling SEED initiatives across Europe. This blend of strategic discussions and shared experiences equips participants to navigate the challenges of sustaining and expanding their CoVE efforts.
In future workshops more emphasis could be put on concrete activities and strategic vision on how to develop SEED further after project completion. Some of the activities suggested, such as VET mobility, can be done also through leveraging Erasmus+ mobility funds. The workshop did not provide clarity yet on what could be topics for collaboration beyond mere sharing of best practices, sustaining the community, or continuation of the organisation of the conferences. A possible pathway is to explore if there are more specific topics than the generalistic sustainable energy topic, for example by focusing on specific energy sectors, such as hydrogen or solar energy. The workshop did show great potential for sustaining the different regional CoVEs that are established through the project and participants explicitly wished this regional cooperation to continue in the future. To achieve this, regions will need to look into possible activities that generate a viable business model.