We would like to interest EurEta-level professionals and entrepreneurs to the European Commission’s funded scheme called “Centres of Vocational Excellence”
Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) are formed by networks of partners that develop local “skills ecosystems” to provide high quality vocational skills to young people and adults, and contribute to regional development, innovation, industrial clusters, smart specialisation strategies and social inclusion.
While working with CoVEs in other countries through international collaborative networks, they establish a bottom-up approach to vocational excellence involving a wide range of local stakeholders enabling VE institutions to rapidly adapt skills provision to evolving economic and social needs.
They stimulate local business development and innovation, by working closely with companies (in particular SMEs) on applied research projects, creating knowledge and innovation hubs, as well as supporting entrepreneurial initiatives of their learners.
By bringing together a wide range of partners, such as providers of vocational education and training, universities of applied sciences, employers, research centres, development agencies, and employment services (among others), that share a common interest in:
- Specific sectors or industrial ecosystems
- Innovative approaches to tackle economic and societal challenges
- Innovative approaches to increase the outreach, quality and effectiveness of existing CoVEs.
The Platforms for Centres of Vocational Excellence initiative introduces a European dimension to vocational excellence by supporting the development of Centres of Vocational Excellence, operating at two levels:
- National: Establishing Centres of Vocational Excellence (hubs) that bring together a wide range of partners contributing to create skills ecosystems responding to local needs
- International: Through international collaborative networks bringing together Centres of Vocational Excellence that share a common interest in developing skills ecosystems
The current Erasmus programme 2021-2027 provides substantial support for the initiative, with an indicative budget of €400 million to fund 100 Centres of Vocational Excellence.
Erasmus+ funding may be complemented by investments needed for infrastructure, which could be supported by other European funds (e.g. Structural and Investment Funds, InvestEU, etc.). The project leaders of the Erasmus+ funded projects that are establishing Centres of Vocational Excellence, have set-up a Community of Practice where they exchange experience, best practices and lessons learned from their CoVE projects, whilst addressing common issues that are of interest to all CoVEs.
If this is of interest to you please visit https://www.etf.europa.eu/en/about and contact the Secretariat of Eureka