Context
The initiative on Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) aims to respond to this policy priority supporting reforms in the VET sector, ensuring high quality skills and competences that lead to quality employment and career-long opportunities, meeting the needs of an innovative, inclusive and sustainable economy 163 . The CoVE initiative also supports the implementation of the European Green Deal, the new Digital Strategy, and the new Industrial and SME Strategies, as skills are key to their success.
They provide opportunities for initial training of young people as well as the continuing up-skilling and re-skilling of adults, through flexible and timely offer of training that meets the needs of a dynamic labour market, in the context of the green and digital transitions. They act as catalysts for 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.
Objectives of the action
Centres of Vocational Excellence will operate at two levels:
1) At national level involving a wide range of local stakeholders creating skills ecosystems for local innovation, regional development, and social inclusion, while working with CoVEs in other countries through international collaborative networks.
2) At international level bringing together CoVEs that share a common interest in:
- specific sectors or industrial ecosystems
- innovative approaches to tackle economic and societal challenges (e.g. climate change, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainable development goals175, integration of migrants and disadvantaged groups, upskilling people with low qualification levels, etc.), or
- innovative approaches to increase the outreach, quality and effectiveness of existing CoVEs
Who can apply?
The applicants (coordinator and full partners) must be:
- Legal entities (public or private bodies) active in the field of vocational education and training or in the world of work;
- Established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme
Which type of organisations can participate in this project?
Participating organisations can be, for example (non-exhaustive list):
- VET providers
- VET provider representative organizations
- Companies, industry or sector representative organizations
- National/regional qualification authorities
- Research institutes
- Innovation agencies
- Regional development authorities
Number and profile of participating organizations
The partnership must include at least 8 applicants (coordinator and full partners) from a minimum of 4 EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
Each EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme must include:
a) at least 1 enterprise, industry or sector representative organisation, and
b) at least 1 vocational education and training provider (at secondary and/or tertiary level).
Deadline
Applicants have to submit their grant application by 8 June at 17:00 pm (Brussels time)