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A student presenting on a white board in front of other students and industry partners.
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Engaging Green Industry Partners

Vocational schools collaborate with industry partners across multiple countries to co-design training curricula focused on green skills and sustainable practices.

Key People and Partners Involved

  • VET schools
  • Industry partners
  • Potentially school partners

Description of the practice

Working with industry partners is a great way to make vocational education and training (VET) more relevant and practical. By teaming up with local businesses, schools can update their curricula to better address the real-world challenges students will face in the workforce, especially when it comes to sustainability. Industry partners bring valuable expertise and real-life problems to the table, helping to shape programs that are not only aligned with current market needs but also focused on green practices. For example, businesses from different sectors, like manufacturing, agriculture, or logistics, offer students hands-on experiences where they can work on solving sustainability challenges specific to each industry.

This approach doesn’t just teach theory—it helps students develop problem-solving skills while working on actual challenges that employers face. Plus, it boosts employability by giving students a clear understanding of the skills that are in demand.

To make sure the partnership is working well, external consultants can evaluate the project's impact and suggest improvements, ensuring the program stays effective and adaptable. Ultimately, these collaborations help schools build training that prepares students for the jobs of the future, with a strong focus on sustainability.

Where it’s being implemented

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  • The Erasmus+ "Green Skills for VET" project brings together VET institutions and local businesses from Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Croatia to co-create a sustainability-focused curriculum that addresses real-world environmental challenges. Industry partners contribute sector-specific challenges, such as green manufacturing, agriculture, and textiles, providing students with hands-on learning experiences. The project aims to boost employability, embed green thinking into VET training, and is guided by impact evaluations to ensure its quality and adaptability.
    https://www.cisita.parma.it/erasmus-ka220-gs4vet/"utm
  • Photovoltaic Academy (“Photovoltaik Praktiker Ausbildung”), is an initiative in the Region of Lower Austria that started in 2022. It involves key stakeholders such as the Education Directorate of Lower Austria, HTC Hollabrunn, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Guild for Electrical Engineering, along with local enterprises and VET provider WIFI NÖ. Driven by a high demand for skilled workers in photovoltaics, HTC Hollabrunn leverages its professional teachers and specialised equipment to foster closer industry ties. The project aims to enhance vocational training effectiveness and contribute to Lower Austria’s 2030 climate goals by promoting photovoltaics. Target groups include technical school students, apprentices, and skilled workers, with funding sourced from a public-private partnership.
    https://www.htl-hl.ac.at/web/news/article/ausbildungszentrum-fuer-photovoltaik-an-der-htl-hollabrunn-eroffnet/
  • The Abruzzo Green Academy offers free sustainability and technology-focused certification courses in L'Aquila, preparing students for emerging green job markets. Through collaborations with local schools, businesses, and development agencies, students gain hands-on experience with real-world case studies, workshops, and mentorship. The program culminates in a green certification, enhancing students' employability while strengthening local economies and promoting sustainability within the community.
    https://www.comune.milano.it/aree-tematiche/relazioni-internazionali/milano-internazionale/cooperazione-internazionale-2/green-school

Impact and Results

  • Students develop practical green industry skills through hands-on learning.
  • The VET curriculum aligns with sustainable sector needs to prepare students for future jobs.
  • Stronger school-business collaboration bridges education and industry.
  • Project-based learning engages students in real-world sustainability challenges.
  • Ongoing evaluation by Prospektiker ensures continuous improvement and adaptability.

Implementation Tips and Insights

  • Engage industry partners early in the design phase to ensure the curriculum meets real-world needs and trends.
  • Implement problem-based learning focused on real environmental challenges to enhance practical skills.
  • Incorporate diverse sectors to broaden learning experiences and expose students to a variety of sustainability issues.
  • Partner with external consultants to continuously track and improve program quality and impact.
  • Promote inclusivity by customizing tasks to accommodate students with different abilities and learning styles.