GreenVOCnet – International Knowledge Exchange to Enhance Green Technologies
EUKI project „GreenVOCnet – Vocational Empowerment for a Green and Socially Just Transition“ is a project network led by FIAP e.V. (Germany) in collaboration with long-standing partners: the German-Hellenic Chamber of Industry and Commerce (Greece), Pedal Consulting (Slovakia), AICIA (Spain), and a broad network of enterprises and vocational schools. In this article the GreenVOCnet team provides an overview of the project’s milestones this year.
The GreenVOCnet project addresses the challenges of the green and social transformation in economies by improving vocational qualification in green technologies. The focus is on developing demand-oriented training in the areas of heat pump technology in combination with renewable energies and green hydrogen. We want to address the increasing shortage of skilled workers and the need for expertise in these technologies – two factors that are hindering progress in the partner countries Greece, Spain and Slovakia. Different, target-group-oriented approaches are being developed in the countries.
Here is an overview of our milestones for 2024.
Networking and Establishment of a European Advisory Board (EAB)
Networks are essential for the success of projects like GreenVOCnet. For this reason, an extensive network has been established at both the local and international level in 2024. Collaboration with local stakeholders ensures that the project work is optimally adapted to regional requirements.
At the same time, an exchange between the project partners is taking place with the active involvement of international networks. This enables strategic cooperation and international knowledge transfer. The international Expert Advisory Board (EAB), consisting of VET and technical experts, has started its work and supports the development of training in the two selected technologies, always with a focus on local needs.
Conducting Needs Assessments
In order to develop sound teaching and learning opportunities, extensive needs assessments were carried out in the three partner countries. With the help of online questionnaires and interviews, both country-specific and overarching trends were identified and educational needs were specified.
Developing Teaching and Learning Opportunities
Significant progress has been made in developing educational content in the areas of renewable heat pump technology and green hydrogen. Extensive Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been developed and some have already been completed. Stakeholders have been continuously involved in this process to ensure that the content is developed in a practical and needs-based manner.
Establishment of a Digital Teaching and Learning Platform
The MOOCs are provided via the platform of the University of Cádiz. The learning platform will serve as a central hub for conducting training for students and teachers, as well as a long-term, open-access option for the training materials being developed. The training offered here will be implemented in the countries in an adapted form.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Development of Teaching and Learning Materials in Vocational Education and Training
The project will test the use of AI in the creation of learning materials. The different target groups in the countries, different learning levels and regional requirements require modifications to the teaching content. AI supports local partners in implementing these adaptations quickly and efficiently. AI-driven innovation is an important factor in adapting vocational training offers to market requirements.
In cooperation with the Metaverse project, the integration of immersive technologies is also planned to create innovative learning environments.
Public Relations – GreenVOCnet at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF)
A special highlight was the presentation of GreenVOCnet at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair in September 2024. GreenVOCnet presented itself at a stand in the German Pavilion in cooperation with EUKI and other projects. At the EUKI Policy Session ‘Building Blocks for European Climate Action’, the GreenVOCnet and its forerunner project GreenTecLab were presented as best practices.
In addition, progress was regularly communicated on the partners‘ project pages and in the EUKI community. An article entitled “Transnational Cooperation for the Promotion of the Hydrogen Economy: Impulses for Skills Development and Vocational Education and Training” has been published in this year’s edition of the FIAP e.V.’s Transition series. This article highlights the synergies between GreenVOCnet and Future4VET. It shows that the partner countries share similar challenges in the area of skills development and the shortage of skilled workers in the green sector. Despite country-specific approaches, there is agreement that joint European strategies and curricula can strengthen qualifications and competitiveness in the hydrogen sector.
Outlook 2025
In the coming year, the focus will be on finalising the MOOCs and the train-the-trainer approach. From spring 2025, teachers will be able to impart the new learning content and the necessary skills for innovative forms of learning to learners from different groups. In all three countries, VR-supported vocational training campaigns will address the skilled workers of tomorrow and inspire them to embrace green technologies.
We are looking forward on collaborating with other EUKI projects and partners in other countries and we would be very happy to transfer our courses and results.
The FIAP team would like to thank all project partners for the positive and successful cooperation and looks forward to joint successes in 2025.