"CONTEXTIn a world where socio-economic divisions and the demand for job positions are very important issues that require a response, the need to train workers in order to improve and increase their qualifications and skills was at the core of the E3D+ project which, through the use 3D printing, a constantly growing industry, has successfully achieved all the previously set objectives; active cooperation was established by the Consortium with different kinds of institutions, organizations and bodies, in order to have an impact on VET education. At the same time, different training paths were tailored to address the needs, the skills, the competences and the relative knowledge gaps of different target groups, which can enrich their professional career in this technological field. A multilingual eLearning Platform followed, alongside with VET policy makers and stakeholders who were reached out in order to contribute to the dissemination and the expansion of the E3D+ impact in the VET sector. PARTNERSHIPThis project arises from a Strategic Partnership composed by VET providers (CEIPES), Higher education institutions (KIT) and business associations (CETEM, STP) that have actively cooperated among them and key stakeholders (enterprises, regional bodies and other VET institutions) for the development of an online training material on one of the transversal sectors with greater strength in recent times, 3D printing, which offer an adapted curriculum according to the qualification profile.RESULTS AND IMPACT ACHIEVED O1: Report on the 3D Printing Industry: This Study provided a complete Analysis of the current skills and qualifications needs of the European 3D Printing Industry compared with the current training offer in Europe. O2: Training path, learning content structure and guidelines for trainers: Activities in this output were aimed at the definition of the training paths, as well as the definition of the learning content. This output defined and analyzed the necessary areas of knowledge and the pedagogical methodologies to provide the specific needs of certain job profiles and different industrial sectors in 3D printing.O3: E-learning platform: E-learning and the content management system achieved the goal of improving access to education and knowledge globally. The platform contains 4 courses devoted to the training in theoretical concepts of 3D printing (Additive Manufacturing).The courses are tailored to 3 different student’s profiles plus one course that encompasses all the training units. All the materials of the modules (Slides, pdfs and videos) are on the platform available in 5 languages to all interested parties. The platform is fully open previous registration and all the contents protected under Creative Commons Open Licenses. O4: Modules Material: All the contents for the International VET were developed in the activities associated with this intellectual output. The intellectual results include all the training materials necessary to teach international VET in 3D printing. All the contents of the project were periodically evaluated and monitored by all the partners. In addition, we counted on the help of experts in e-Learning who guided us so that the development of these contents was successful. Most of the learning content was supported by web tools.O5: Webinar to establish the strategic lines of the future: These activities consisted of the launching of 5 webinars in which the objectives of the project and the contents of the training units developed by the consortium were described in real time. All these video lessons were recorded to make them available on the project website and on YouTube.The contribution that these results offer in the field of education is of vital importance for all those entities that want to implement this content in their school curriculum. As a result, we have a professional curriculum that details and defines all the learning units for each of the target groups identified in the first phase of the project. This definition includes the number of ECVET points, EQF level, objectives, learning outputs and evaluation methods. Dynamic theoretical contents have been developed for an effective transmission of knowledge, as well as a series of introductory videos to the subjects that help the student to have a general vision of what they are going to study. Also, webcam training contents have been developed for this course. The key point was the e-learning platform ""Opigno"" where the course can be done interactively, helping the future student to improve their knowledge in e-learning and the use of IT tools for communication and learning.To unify the teaching-learning method, the guideline for trainers was developed. Together with the training of trainers, they help to standardize the methodology and pedagogical strategies in the teaching of new technologies, such as additive manufacturing."

"Additive Manufacturing (or 3D printing) is one of the technologies under the umbrella of Advanced Manufacturing which has been identified by the European Commission as one of the Key Enabling Technologies (KETs).Creative industries are core elements of the EU economy. Creative workers are talented and flexible with a range of core capacities that can be developed and improved naturally via practice and lifelong learning. Creative enterprises are usually small, often micro. They work with clients in sectors that have been traditionally connected to creative industries for some time, using flexibility to add value to products by applying their ability to realize innovative ideas.Increasingly these capacities are becoming more relevant to the European Economy as new sectors find out that they need the skills provided by creative enterprises workers. At the same time new, often disruptive, technologies come to light and require highly skilled creative labour to allow maximum exploitation of capital.This also applies to other Advanced Manufacturing technologies, like Advanced Industrial Robotics (AIR), slowly emerging for small and micro enterprises. Just like AM, AIR is a transversal technology requiring investment and knowledge on design and software can bring crafts closer to the market’s needs by customizing batches (i.e. footwear). The global market is estimated to reach $6.4 trillion by 2025.Hence Advanced Manufacturing technologies are often adoptable by relatively traditional sectors. However, they often need ready and competent workers. And when they do have a high level of technical skills, workers often lack capacities for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial approach to use such technologies. These are required capacities if the capital (tools, machines) is to be exploited to the maximum of its potential.ACCESS-3DP brings together an innovative consortium of 5 partners with experts in 3D printing and design from the VET, HE world and business organizations from creative industries from 5 EU countries. The partners jointly embrace the following objectives:- Identification of skills mismatched between the craft and traditional industries with additive manufacturing technologies- Use the skills needs to develop and tailored VET curricula according EUI standards to foster the mobility and employability in craft sectors in Europe- Improve the competitiveness and efficiency of the traditional sector enterprises through the use of 3D printing technologies- Improve the entrepreneurship in craft sectors and Additive Manufacturing sector through better understanding of the 3D printing value chain- Evaluate the impact of tailored training about 3D printing in entrepreneurs and craftsmen.- Sustain the project results, in the course of time, through the development recommendations for certification.To achieve such objectives, the partners will develop the following intellectual outputs:- A report on how VET providers can connect creative and traditional-craft industries- A joint VET curriculum according national and EU standards- Learning Modules based on the VET curriculum supported by a MOOC platform- A course assessment and qualification resource package in order to support the certification of the ACCESS-3DP Learning Modules and Course- A pilot implementation and study of the Learning Modules and CourseA workshop in the form of a short-term joint staff training event (L/T/T) focusing on innovating crafts through 3DP technology will take place during the last project period and will involve Associated Partners. At the same time, 5 Multiplier Events will be organized in order to enhance the impact of the ACCESS-3DP project through the dissemination of the project results.A partnership composed by HE, Business representatives and research will develop approaches to training people in the creative industries that promote that creativity, alongside entrepreneurial thinking and skills for applying innovative ideas in practice. It is vital for anyone working industries that may apply 3D printing, to understand the ""value chain of 3D printing"" and how it may evolve over time. An insight needs to be given on where in the chain value is added, and how. ACCESS-3DP training materials will empower students to successfully enter the market, and/or to successfully sustain their business.Increasingly, these capacities are becoming more relevant to the European Economy as new sectors find they are needing the skills provided by enterprises in creative industries and their workers, and new, often disruptive, technologies come to light that require highly skilled creative labour for there to be maximum exploitation of capital based in the tools and machines of these technologies. Additive manufacturing will be an asset to the factors of competitiveness, such as flexibility and time to market, among others for the craft and creative industries."

"President von der Leyen highlighted in her political guidelines the need to unlock the potential of digital technologies for learning and teaching and to develop skills for all. [1] The digitalisation of EU industries are a strategic imperative and further investment in particular in the digitalisation of manufacturing SMES, the backbone of the EU economy which bring innovative solutions to challenges like climate change, resource efficiency and social cohesion apart from helping spread this innovation through EU's region. The COVID pandemic demonstrated the vulnerability of European industry and uncertainty about how economy recovery will look like. The challenge for SMEs is not simply to be digital but to transform the company into a ""Bionic firm"", that is, a company which is capable of combining technological, transveral and leadership achieving in turn more productive operations and greater innovation. The transition to a digitalised Europe must go hand in hand with the transition to a more economically, environmentally and socially sustainable Europe as guiding principle for the future. [2]Under this context, GIST project has the aim to develop an innovative training material for SMEs to provide them the basic competences needed to reach this ""Bionic Status"". To this end, GIST Consortium has defined the following specific SMART objectives (SO):SO1.To define the required learning outcomes based on a deep analysis on the current needs of industry regarding digital transformation.SO2. To define, develop and validate the structure and methodology of the GIST training course in a Joint Curriculum with the participation of stakeholders, target groups and associated partners. SO3. To deliver the training course on e-learning OER Platform and protect it under open licenses. SO4. To evaluate a complete e-learning experience by a verification action and improve the project results.SO5. To create new job opportunities for people with the necessary skills for the future integrative, sustainable and digitalised industriesThis training material will focus on companies in the furniture sector and related. The 4th industrial revolution is impacting all productive sectors but in some traditional manufacturing sectors such as furniture, the revolution has no entered massively due to the most part of their SMEs under-invests in R&D&I and have less capacity to change production processes and to find highly qualified personnel. [3] These organisations are preoccupied with a shortage of skilled personnel and with an ageing workforce. This type of professional profile that is so widespread in this manufacturing sector needs to be adapted and faced with this new concept of digitalisation with upskilling and reskilling as appropriate. There is a need for investing in life-long learning in the SMEs to increase their capabilities and knowledge.It is time to show the resilience of the furniture sector and the ability of companies to seize the moment (as well as the funds allocated for this purpose) to rebuild the economic and social model on the basis of cooperation, resilience and sustainability. It is necessary to ensure competitiveness and sustainable and supporting resilient and adaptative manufacturing ecosystems, able to cope with external disturbances and rising environmental and social requirements.The prosperity of industry for survive to COVID-19 encompass the globalisation and the interconnection so, this project brings together a Consortium conformed by six partners: a German university specialised in Industry 4.0 KETs research and coordinator of proposals (KIT), a Spanish research centre and VET provider expert in e-learning platform (CETEM), a Croatian research organisation with experience in theoretical and applied research (IRM), a Polish ICT SME expert on non-formal learning system through e.- earning products and software (Globalnet), an Belgium umbrella federation in forestry, woodworking and furniture sector (InnovaWood) and an Slovenian technology park focused on comprehensive support for SMEs (STP). Although the main target group of the project are SMEs from furniture and related sectors, companies’ employees and managers dealing with the implementation of digital transformation, VET providers and HE institutions, employer and employee associations, consultancies and unemployed and students interested in digitalisation training are also potential stakeholders for the proposal.Finally, the GIST project will have a wide impact at European, national, regional and local level and to many different target groups defined before that will be reached after, during and before the project implementation. A Dissemination Plan and a Quality Assurance Plan will be drafted to define the correct strategies to address them and evaluate the correct project implementation and its impact.[1] Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027.[2] EC/COM (2020) 103 final[3] https://cutt.ly/sgRGcNX"

Europe currently spends less on R&D than the US, Japan and many other countries. Meanwhile, Europe's public authorities are major consumers of goods and services. Public procurement accounts for about 19% of the GDP in the European Union and offers an enormous potential market for innovative products and services [1].The Europe 2020 Strategy sets a target of 3% of the EU's GDP to be invested in R&D by 2020. In this way, innovation has been incorporated into the new European Public Procurement Directives approved on 26th February 2014 [2] as a new public policy, at the same level as the social and environmental one, which should be promoted through contractual instruments.The new directives open up a number of opportunities for Public Procurement of Innovative solutions (PPI), while maintaining the basic requirements of competition, transparency, equal treatment and compliance with EU state aid rules.Likewise, the European Commission establishes, among other strategic priorities, to boost innovation through public procurement, and to improve SMEs access to public tender market.On the other hand, the European habitat sector, dominated by SMEs, provides 1 million direct jobs in 130 thousand companies generating an annual turnover of around EUR 96 billion, and their purchases represent 16% of the GDP.The “Study on the EU furniture market situation” highlights that R&D and innovation are crucial factors to maintain market positions [3]. Nevertheless, only a small number of European companies carry out industrial research activities in order to develop new materials or technology for furniture.At the same time, there is an increasing demand for smart health care services, whose costs are covered by public expenditures in all EU countries. Thus, a high number of habitat companies has appeared in the last few years that implement Ambient Assisted Living technologies to offer new products related to the eHealth sector. These new products benefit patients, in the form of a more efficient treatment, and reduce the treatment costs. Hence, supporting innovative practices in the health care sector is a crucial step towards improving the services.For that reason, the main objective of the HAePPI project is to develop a new learning curriculum on PPI in line with the needs of habitat and eHealth SMEs. An innovative and open resource programme of vocational education and training, which will provide an adapted curriculum to equip professionals with the specific, basic and transversal skills currently required for the public procurement of innovation.To reach the main objective, different activities will be carried out:1. Learning outcomes definition based on a complete analysis of current best practices on PPI and SMEs´ needs2. Joint Curriculum definition3. Development of the training materials with interactive tools4. Complete learning evaluation on a developed online e-learning platformIn order to achieve such purposes, a Strategic Partnership has put 6 entities together from different countries and expertise in the different fields of the proposed project: two Universities with high expertise in public procurement policies (UNIZAR and ULO); two clusters from different sectors, habitat and eHealth (AMUEBLA and iVITA); a Technology Park and a business organisation expert in innovation management (STP); and a macro-regional hotspot for health and innovation (ScanBalt). The consortium will be completed with several associated partners (business associations, universities, development agencies, etc.) that will be involved in different tasks and will ensure wide dissemination for the project results.Although a HAePPI training course will be launched for the habitat and eHealth sectors, the final beneficiaries of the results will be a great number of SMEs and public institutions around Europe. Therefore, the HAePPI project will have a high final impact on thousands of enterprises and therefore in the European economy.The HAePPI project will achieve the following results and benefits:- The outputs obtained will strengthen the education and training paths of SMEs managers and workers, equipping them with the necessary competences and skills to participate in public tenders of innovation.- Development of specific, basic and transversal competences and skills relevant for SMEs, such as management, entrepreneurship, leadership, digital and creativity skills, and language competence in the field of VET.- Promotion of creative and innovative practices in the habitat and eHealth sectors, such as the implementation of electronic devices or internet of things technology.- Foster the PPI as an essential instrument to achieve the Horizon 2020 targets and to improve innovation in Europe.[1] Guidance for public authorities on Public Procurement of Innovation. DG Enterprise & Industry[2] Directives 2014/23/EU; 2014/24/EU, and 2014/25/EU[3] Study on the EU furniture market situation. Csil

The lineal economy model take-make-consume-dispose is a reflection of a time when resources and energy were believed to be unlimited and easy to obtain and there was no awareness of the serious environmental consequences. Currently, the Circular Economy (CE) is proposed as the logical and viable alternative, which corrects the main problems of this linear scheme. CE refers to a production and consumption system that creates as little economic loss as possible, and where the majority of the products and resources used in production processes can be reused and recycled. This changing products’ design and production processes could help to minimise waste and increase the potential of unused resources, and thereby, have a positive environmental impact.[1],[2].The EC stress that “transition to a more circular economy requires changes throughout value chains, from product design to new business and market models, from new ways of turning waste into resource to new models of consumer behaviour”. Industrial Symbiosis (IS) is a waste-as-resource business models aiming to use waste a resource promotes cross-sector and cross-cycle links by creating markets for secondary raw materials.[3] This system approach to a more sustainable and integrated industrial system could contribute to resolve the development and environmental challenges articulated in SDGs.Consequently, the main objective of the project is to develop a new professional profile, the INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS FACILITATOR towards the design of a common curriculum and learning approach on. This IS facilitator would be responsible of different tasks: to conduct analysis in its area of influence, to define and promote synergies between companies from different sectors, to capitalise on the benefits of EC principles implementation, etc. The INSIGHT project will bring together an innovative Consortium made up of 6 partners from 5 European Countries (Belgium, Slovenia, Spain, Romania and Italy): VET providers, research centres, SMEs and non-governmental associations) with wide experience in IS and Education. To this end, the INSIGHT partnerships have defined the following specific and SMART objectives (SO):SO1. To design and develop a Joint Curriculum (JC) for developing and fostering new skills on VET students with the participation of stakeholders and education expertsSO2. To deliver the JC on e-learning platform and project it under open licensesSO3. To develop a blueprint strategy and governance guidelines to include ISSO4. To equip VET users and other target users with the right skills and knowledge about IS from today and tomorrow and to foster a sustainable and innovative developmentSO5. To create new job opportunities for people with the necessary skills (soft and technical ones)SO6. To boost new business related to IS fulfilling the principles of the Circular EconomyTo carry out these objectives, Consortium will carry out the following activities:- An training path definition which encompasses a key study based on current knowledge, skills and qualifications regarding IS and a Joint Curriculum to define the necessary learning outcomes, methodology which cover previous identified gaps.- The creation of learning and training materials together with methods, pedagogical approaches and tools.- The implementation of a training and collaborative e-learning platform to ensure that all materials developed are certainly deployed by creation an open online course.- The definition of a blueprint and the deployment of its action plan for the transformation of VET programs towards IS.The project will carry out its own assessment, and a wide D&E Plan to spread its results among as many interested parties as possible. INSIGHT will also address transversal skills such as entrepreneurship, innovation and digital competences.In terms of long-term benefits, INSIGHT project will increase the labour market relevance of VET position and will reduce skills mismatches and shortages among the identified target groups (VET students, industry experts, workers, trade associations, research centres, etc.)Results will strengthen the duration and training path or workers, equipping them with all necessary competences and skills to develop a high-quality job in the target sectors defined. Therefore, by supporting lifelong learning and fostering a new educational initiative that will offer learners the possibility of enhancing their skills and acquire new knowledge that will broaden the talent pool and allow them to be better equipped to fabricate future CE business strategies. Consortium believes in the INSIGHT direct impact in our economy, society and environment because they majority of the circular solutions are not in the origin sector.[1] COM (2015) 614 final[2] Johnsen, I. et al. The potential of IS as a key driver of green growth in Nordic regions. Nordregio[3] [3]EEA Report No. 2/2016