CoVEs Driving the Digital and Green Transitions

Advancing Vocational Excellence: CoVEs Driving the Digital and Green Transitions

The rapid pace of digitalisation and the urgent need for sustainability are reshaping industries worldwide, requiring new skill sets and innovative training models. At the heart of this transformation, Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) are playing a pivotal role in equipping learners with the competencies needed to navigate both the digital and green transitions.

Two recent reports from the European Training Foundation (ETF)—CoVEs in the Digital Transition and CoVEs in the Green Transition—provide critical insights into how vocational education institutions are driving change. These reports highlight best practices from across Europe and beyond, demonstrating how CoVEs are responding to labour market shifts, integrating digital and sustainability-focused curricula, and strengthening ties with industry and policymakers.

The Digital Transformation of CoVEs

The CoVEs in the Digital Transition report outlines how vocational education providers are leveraging advanced technologies, AI, and industry partnerships to enhance learning experiences. The case studies included in the report demonstrate how technology is reshaping vocational training, improving accessibility, and ensuring alignment with emerging job markets.

Embedding Digital Skills into Vocational Training

CoVEs are increasingly blending traditional hands-on learning with digital technologies, ensuring students are equipped with future-proof skills. The report showcases:

• AI-driven education models – Shenzhen Polytechnic (China) is pioneering AI-supported training modules to tailor learning to individual needs.
• Industry-focused digital upskilling – Helsinki Business College (Finland) has embedded work-based simulations and digital tools to train students for evolving sectors.
• Smart campus innovation – Temasek Polytechnic (Singapore) is leading the way with digitised learning management systems and smart infrastructure.

One of the key findings of the report is that teacher training must keep pace with digitalisation. Without adequately upskilling educators, vocational institutions risk failing to integrate digital tools effectively into their curricula.

As Mr. Hamza el Karch, Head of Studies, explains,
"We continuously develop our training programmes to align with the evolving needs of the professional sector. As we analyse industry needs and consult with experts, we involve professionals from relevant fields to validate our training programmes. The involvement of the industry in this process is key! Our trainers are themselves trained to ensure they can deliver effective training."
(Source: Interview with Hamza el Karch, Head of Studies)

Furthermore, Dr. Anass Ait Laachir, Director of IFMEREE Tangier, emphasises the role of continuous feedback in improving digital training:
"We prioritise the development of our trainers by implementing a feedback loop where students evaluate their performance. Using a two-axis format, we assess both the trainer’s delivery of the material in the classroom and their ability to meet the needs of individual students. When students are struggling, we hold meetings to address the root cause of the problem. Our teachers and trainers use the feedback to improve their skills and better respond to students’ needs."
(Source: Interview with Dr. Anass Ait Laachir, Director of the IFMEREE Tangier)

The Role of CoVEs in the Green Transition

The CoVEs in the Green Transition report highlights how vocational education is adapting to sustainability imperatives, ensuring learners gain expertise in renewable energy, sustainable business practices, and climate resilience. As the world transitions towards low-carbon economies, vocational training must prepare students for careers that prioritise environmental responsibility.

Building a Workforce for the Green Economy

CoVEs are embedding green skills into their programmes by:

• Sustainability-focused curricula – Green Academy Denmark has restructured its vocational programmes to include climate-smart agriculture and energy-efficient practices.
• Renewable energy training – IFMEREE (Morocco) specialises in equipping students with skills in solar and wind energy technologies.
• Circular economy models – Temasek Polytechnic (Singapore) has integrated eco-innovation strategies into its training, ensuring students understand sustainable business operations.

As Peder Glud, Educational Manager at Green Academy Denmark, explains:
"This form of collaboration helps us to get closer to the reality of the industry that we are supposed to supply with employees with the relevant and demanded skills. The collaboration gives us the opportunity to learn what skills are in demand in the industry. This is highly important in order for Green Academy Denmark to stay relevant."
(Source: Interview with Peder Glud, Educational Manager, Landscaping Department)

However, sustainability education remains a work in progress, as highlighted by Green Academy Denmark's management:
"The green transition is not set in stone—it is diffuse, and the best solutions have not necessarily been found yet."
(Source: Green Academy Denmark Management)

Policy and the Future of Vocational Excellence

Both reports stress the importance of policy frameworks and funding mechanisms to support CoVEs in navigating these transitions. European initiatives such as Erasmus+ and the European Green Deal offer significant opportunities for CoVEs to:

• Access funding for sustainability and digital upskilling programmes.
• Expand cross-border collaborations to exchange best practices.
• Develop self-assessment tools to measure progress in digital and green adaptation.

To support this transition, ETF recommends expanding funding schemes that specifically target digital and green VET excellence. Additionally, self-assessment tools for CoVEs—such as those developed within the Erasmus+ framework—allow institutions to track their sustainability and digital transformation progress effectively.

Policymakers must strengthen collaborations between vocational education providers, industry leaders, and research institutions to ensure CoVEs remain at the forefront of innovation. The reports highlight that stronger institutional ties and clearer policy incentives will be essential to scaling up successful models across Europe.

Strengthening CoVEs for the Future

The digital and green transitions are redefining the future of work, and CoVEs must lead the way in equipping learners with the skills to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. By integrating technology, fostering sustainability, and strengthening industry partnerships, they are shaping a workforce that is innovative, adaptable, and environmentally conscious.

ETF’s reports provide a clear roadmap for vocational training providers, educators, and policymakers: the challenge now is to translate insights into action. Through continued collaboration, strategic investment in digital and green education, and policy-driven support, vocational excellence will remain at the forefront of Europe’s transformation.

For more information on CoVe please visit: Centres of Vocational Excellence page. 

For further insights, access the full reports:

🔗 ETF – CoVEs in the Digital Transition
🔗 ETF – CoVEs in the Green Transition