On March 12th, the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP) hosted the workshop “Aligning Competencies Between Training Centers and Companies”, an event organized under the SECOVE project. The gathering brought together experts, academics, and industry representatives to discuss the connection between education and labor market needs, promoting strategic alignment between educational institutions and businesses.

The session featured various presentations and roundtable discussions addressing key topics for the future of education and innovation.

One of the event’s highlights was the presentation of the Innovation Hub (at the local/national level) of the Instituto Politécnico do Porto (IPP), one of the latest developments within the SECOVE framework. This hub emerges as a collaborative ecosystem aimed at fostering innovation, knowledge transfer, and skills development in the sustainable energy sector.

The European Federation of STEAME Teacher Facilitators Academies recently held its first General Assembly, marking an important milestone in the organization’s development.

Key topics included an introduction to the Federation’s mission, logistics surrounding its legal statutes, and the appointment of accounting auditors for compliance with Cypriot authorities. Members also confirmed registrations, voting rights, and elected the Management Board, which will comprise three to seven members.

A highlight of the assembly was the unveiling of an initial action plan, featuring the launch of a platform observatory, efforts to popularize the Federation’s initiatives, and programs for certification and mentoring.

This marks a significant step in promoting STEAME education across Europe by empowering teacher facilitators with robust support systems and professional frameworks.

For more information, visit https://steame-academy.eu/.

The European STEAME Teacher Academy hosted a three-day event including a coordination meeting, workshops, and a roundtable, from the 15th to the 17th of January 2025 in Bucharest, Romania. Co-funded by the European Union, the event brought together educators, trainers, and academics from across Europe to explore and enhance STEAME (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Entrepreneurship) education.

On January 15, key discussions focused on the progress of the STEAME Academy project, outlining strategic goals, and preparing for the months ahead.

Over the next two days, the program featured interactive workshops, presentations, and discussions. The sessions addressed key aspects of innovative education, including the management of STEAME learning environments, the use of VR technology for project-based learning (PBL), and approaches to integrating green energy and creativity in teaching. Trainers from various European institutions facilitated modules designed to empower teachers with cutting-edge tools and methodologies.

Notable sessions included:

• VR Learning for STEAME PBL Activities led by experts from the University of the Aegean.
• Management of STEAME Learning Spaces presented by educators from UB.
• Learning How to Learn emphasizing lifelong learning strategies, conducted by trainers from UKEN.

The event concluded with a roundtable discussion, highlighting the collective commitment to advancing education through interdisciplinary methods.

The SECOVE project’s WP6 team held an online meeting on December 13, 2024, to discuss advancements in developing and launching Innovation Hubs. These hubs aim to promote and sustain quality and innovation in vocational education and training (VET), with a focus on fostering green skills and European cooperation.

Key updates included:

• Progress on the SECOVE platform, which will serve as a central repository for Innovation Hub information.
• The development of individual and global launch plans for the hubs, with events aligned to project milestones.
• Coordination efforts led by CRES to integrate European collaboration and green skill promotion.

Next steps involve finalizing a manual, gathering additional media materials, and preparing press releases for individual and global launches in March-April 2025. The team plans to reconvene on January 10, 2025, to evaluate progress and finalize event strategies.