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Applied Research in VET Project: Lessons learned and future outlook

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Online small scale event about AIRinVET, by partners Eurashe and Katapult 

On December 12th, 2024, Jakub Grodecki (Eurashe) and Barbara van Ginneken (Katapult) presented our AIRinVET project during an online webinar abut AIRinVET, attended by 30-39 participants from throughout Europe. The event was called “Applied Research in VET Project: Lessons learned and future outlook” and a recording of it can be viewed here.  

The main objective of this small scale event was to share the findings, results and recommendations of the AIRinVET project with important stakeholders in the field of Applied Innovation and Research within VET education, industry, (local) governments, and other interested members within the AIRinVET network. 

All results and outcomes of our project have been touched upon, with some more focus on the Tools that have been developed (Glossary, Network Map, Decision Tree, Self-Assessment Tool based on our AIRinVET Framework, incl. the Roadmap)  

The ten most important Recommendations on regional/country level (to be published on our AIRinVET website in December 2024) shared entailed: 

 

  • Embed Applied Research in National VET Agendas: Integrate applied research into curricula, policies, and strategies to position VET institutions as critical actors in research and innovation ecosystems. 

  • Facilitate Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Promote structured partnerships between VET, Universities of Applied Sciences, SMEs, and startups to align research with industry needs. 

  • Support Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs): Establish CoVEs as hubs for innovation, collaboration, and applied research, providing necessary infrastructure and fostering expertise. 

  • Create Applied Research Ecosystems: Develop ecosystems linking VET, SMEs, higher education, and research bodies to enhance collaboration and knowledge transfer. 

  • Secure Funding for Applied Research: Provide targeted funding for research projects and staff training to build institutional capacity in the area of AR. 

  • Invest in Institutional and HR Capacity: Ensure stable funding for human resources and institutional support to guide VET applied research activities. 

  • Establish National Coordinating Bodies: Create bodies to coordinate applied research efforts, manage partnerships, and streamline funding and policy access. 

  • Broaden the Role of VET Centres: Redefine VET institutions as research and development partners in national qualification frameworks. 

  • Increase Regional Funding: Align funding for applied research with regional economic development priorities. 

  • Support Lifelong Learning Pathways: Establish flexible systems to facilitate transitions between VET and further education for lifelong learners. 

 

The most important recommendations on (international) European level were:  

  • Disseminate Applied Research Knowledge: Develop a Europe-wide platform for sharing research methods, outcomes, and best practices. 

  • Link Research to Green and Digital Strategies: Align VET-applied research with the European Green Deal and Digital Europe goals. 

  • Promote Experiential Learning: Link applied research with work-based learning models to enhance student skills and employability. 

  • Integrate Research in QA Frameworks: Recognize applied research within Quality Assurance frameworks to ensure consistent standards. 

  • Advocate Tripartite Funding Models: Share research funding responsibilities between governments, VET centres, and SMEs. 

  • Secure Long-Term EU Funding: Use programs like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ to provide stable, multi-annual funding. 

  • Clarify Intellectual Property (IP) Rules: Establish European IP guidelines to protect rights and promote open access. 

  • Launch Pan-European Campaigns: Raise awareness of the value of applied research in VET through public relations campaigns. 

  • Build VET-SME Collaboration Capacity: Provide tools, training, and resources for VET institutions to engage effectively with SMEs. 

  • Standardize Terminology: Develop a common vocabulary and promote the AIRinVET framework as a blueprint for applied research in VET. 

 

The presentation was received well by the participants, who also engaged in a short discussion about the way the Quality Assurance of R&I activities can be improved, on various EQF levels.