ELeVATE : Empowering Women in Net-Zero Technologies for the Smart Electricity for Buildings (SEB) – Bridging the Gap through Vocational Education and Training

The ELEVATE project aims to bridge the gender gap in net-zero technologies within the Smart Electricity for Buildings (SEB) sector by enhancing vocational education and training (VET) opportunities for women. It seeks to address the underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields—especially in the renewable energy and smart electricity domains—by implementing targeted educational programs, mentorship initiatives, and awareness campaigns

Key Objectives

  1. Assess Gender Disparities in VET for Net-Zero Technologies: Conduct research on female participation, barriers, and opportunities in the SEB sector.
  2. Develop a Mentorship Framework: Create structured mentorship programs to support women in entering and advancing in net-zero careers.
  3. Design and Implement Targeted VET Programs: Develop specialized curricula to train women mentors in green technologies, ensuring they acquire relevant skills.
  4. Promote Role Models: Showcase successful women in net-zero industries and provide mentorship to inspire more participation.
  5. Establish Partnerships and Networks: Collaborate with VET providers, policymakers, industries, and educational institutions to foster career pathways.
  6. Enhance Awareness and Advocacy: Launch campaigns to challenge gender stereotypes in STEM and encourage women’s participation.

Methodology & Implementation

The ELEVATE project will use a structured approach based on research, training, mentorship, and advocacy. Its methodology includes:

  • Conducting baseline studies to understand the barriers preventing women from pursuing careers in net-zero technologies.
  • Developing a training curriculum and mentorship program to provide guidance and skills development.
  • Using Design Thinking techniques to tailor education and career pathways for women.
  • Organizing networking and knowledge-exchange workshops to engage industry leaders, educators, and trainees.
  • Running awareness campaigns to attract more women into VET programs focused on net-zero technologies.

The project will be implemented across multiple European regions, leveraging the expertise of a diverse consortium of VET providers, universities, research institutions, and policy-makers.

Expected Impact

  • Increased participation of women in net-zero technology-related VET programs.
  • Improved access to mentorship, training, and career opportunities for women in the SEB sector.
  • Stronger collaborations between educational institutions, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
  • Development of policy recommendations and strategic frameworks to sustain gender inclusion in net-zero industries beyond the project’s duration.

Transnational Dimension & Sustainability

The project will operate across multiple European regions, including Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, North Macedonia, and Portugal. By establishing international partnerships and integrating gender-inclusive policies into VET curricula, ELEVATE aims to ensure long-term systemic change in green technology education and employment.

This initiative represents a critical step towards fostering gender equality in the green energy sector while addressing Europe’s need for a skilled workforce in net-zero technologies.​

SEBCoVE Project Participation in Castilla y León Skills Forum and MOBUILDING Policy Meeting

Representatives of the SEBCoVE project (sebcove.eu) were invited by the regional education authority of Castilla y León (educa.jcyl.es) to participate in the Castilla y León Skills 2025 Forum, held in Valladolid, Spain, during the second week of April 2025. This prestigious forum celebrates excellence in Vocational Education and Training (VET), featuring student competitions across a wide range of professions.

The SEBCoVE delegation showed particular interest in the competitions related to Electricity and Electronics, losely tied to the project’s focus on Smart Electricity for Buildings (SEB). SEBCoVE was showcased as an innovative approach to excellence in vocational education, emphasizing cross-sectoral cooperation, digital and green skills, and quality assurance.

During the event, the SEBCoVE team:

  • Presented the project’s vision and methodology as an example of a European Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE).

  • Engaged with local educational authorities to discuss the alignment of regional VET strategies with European quality and innovation standards.

  • Exchanged best practices on curriculum innovation, industry collaboration, and competence-based training.

MOBUILDING Project Synergy

In parallel, SEBCoVE representatives took part in the kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ policy experimentation project MOBUILDING, which focuses on enhancing mobility opportunities for apprentices in the building sector. The project aims to address key structural, legal, and operational barriers to cross-border mobility by:

  • Developing a European Platform for Apprenticeship Mobility,

  • Strengthening outreach to employers and learners,

  • Improving the quality of learning mobility in the construction and SEB sectors.

SEBCoVE partners actively contributed to the policy dialogue, drawing connections between MOBUILDING’s mobility vision and SEBCoVE’s practices in promoting work-based learning, excellence frameworks, and innovation in training.

Synergies with the ELEVATE Project

Finally, the SEBCoVE team had the opportunity to explore potential synergies with the ELEVATE project (“Empowering Women in Net-Zero Technologies for the Smart Electricity for Buildings Sector”)—a forward-looking Erasmus+ policy experimentation initiative aiming to close the gender gap in the green tech sector.

ELEVATE focuses on:

  • Promoting female participation in VET for green and digital jobs,

  • Implementing mentorship programs,

  • Designing inclusive training curricula for net-zero technologies,

  • Launching awareness and advocacy campaigns to challenge gender stereotypes​.

The shared interest in the Smart Electricity for Buildings sector, along with overlapping goals around excellence, gender inclusion, and green skills, provided a fertile ground for future collaboration between SEBCoVE and ELEVATE—especially in areas of curriculum development, mobility for women in VET, and stakeholder engagement.

Building the Future of Smart Energy Skills: SEBCoVE’s Porto Meeting Marks Major Milestones

The SEBCoVE (Smart Electricity for Buildings – Centres of Vocational Excellence) project recently marked a significant milestone with its second consortium meeting held in Porto, Portugal, on April 7–8, 2025. Hosted at the School of Engineering of the Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP/IPP), the event brought together over 30 professionals and stakeholders from across Europe, united by a shared vision to advance vocational education and training (VET) in the smart electricity sector.

The meeting agenda was packed with pivotal updates, showcasing the impressive progress made since the project’s launch. Several core work packages (WPs) were presented, illustrating the synergy among the project partners and the high level of coordination across initiatives.

Key achievements included the development of innovative training curricula and digital tools (WP4), including micro-credentials, augmented reality applications, and serious games designed to modernize teaching methods. The Learning Management System (LMS) platform was also unveiled, along with structured feedback mechanisms to enhance learner engagement. Additionally, a cost-sharing LAB model for electricians and a roadmap for establishing regional SEBCoVEs underscored the project’s strategic foresight.

On the implementation front (WP5), the certification processes for learners and institutions are well underway, aligning with EQAVET and ISO standards. A robust skills ecosystem and knowledge triangle are being actively cultivated to ensure long-term sustainability and industry relevance. Quality assurance (WP6 & WP7) was another major highlight, with presentations on internal audits, monitoring tools, and certification schemes for micro-credentials under ISO 17024. Dissemination efforts (WP8) were equally strong, with visibility across events and platforms helping to anchor SEBCoVE as a leading initiative within the CoVE community.

The meeting concluded on a high note with collaborative planning for future mobilities and meetings, reaffirming the consortium’s commitment to continuous improvement. The overall success of the Porto meeting demonstrated the project’s growing impact, not just in terms of outputs but in fostering a community of practice redefining vocational training for the smart energy era.

For more insights on the project, visit sebcove.eu.

ID: 101144027

ECTE’s participation in High-Level Forum on Innovation and Cooperation in Brussels

Brussels Hosts High-Level Forum on Innovation and Cooperation in the EU Market

Brussels, November 26, 2024 – The European Parliament hosted the 2nd European Innovation Partners Networking Forum, a pivotal two-day event that brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry, and public institutions to discuss sustainable innovation, funding opportunities, and collaborative strategies for Europe’s economic and technological future.

The event, which took place on November 25-26, focused on fostering collaboration between companies, research institutes, and vocational training providers to drive economic growth and innovation. Among the many significant projects presented was SEBCoVE: Smart Electricity for Buildings, which underscored the vital role of cooperation in advancing smart energy solutions and sustainability in the built environment.

SEBCoVE: A Model for Collaboration in Smart Energy

One of the key highlights of the event was the presentation of the SEBCoVE project, which aims to bridge the gap between vocational education, research, and industry by developing new training programs tailored to the evolving needs of the smart building sector. The project showcases how collaboration between educational institutions and enterprises can contribute to workforce upskilling, innovation, and increased competitiveness in the European market.

The SEBCoVE project aligns with the European Union’s broader objectives of digital and green transformation, addressing the challenges of energy efficiency, smart electricity applications, and workforce development in a rapidly evolving sector. By fostering partnerships between companies and vocational training providers, SEBCoVE is setting a benchmark for how education and industry can work hand in hand to meet the demands of an increasingly smart and interconnected world.

Forum Highlights: Innovation, Policy, and Human Capital Development

The forum served as a platform for high-level discussions on EU funding mechanisms, research collaborations, and the transition toward a circular and digital economy. The Dinner Debate at the European Parliament, titled “Circular, Digital, and Green Transition in the EU,” provided a space for policymakers, researchers, and business leaders to exchange views on the future of sustainable innovation.

Moreover, the Lunch Debate on the second day, focusing on “The Role of EU Funding in Enhancing Human Capital Development,” emphasized the importance of investing in skills and training for the future workforce. The session featured insights from industry experts and EU officials on how strategic investments in education and vocational training can boost economic growth and social cohesion across Europe.

The Future of EU Innovation Partnerships

As Europe continues to navigate challenges related to sustainability, resource scarcity, and digital transformation, initiatives such as SEBCoVE demonstrate the value of cross-sector collaboration in addressing these pressing issues. The discussions and networking opportunities at the forum reinforced the EU’s commitment to fostering an ecosystem of innovation that benefits all stakeholders—entrepreneurs, educational institutions, policymakers, and businesses.

With over 50 in-person attendees in Brussels and 200 participants joining online, the event successfully facilitated knowledge exchange and consortium-building for future EU-funded projects. The forum concluded with a Rooftop Reception and Awards Ceremony, celebrating outstanding contributions to research, innovation, and sustainable development.

As the EU looks ahead to 2025-2026 funding opportunities under programs like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, the outcomes of this forum will play a crucial role in shaping the next wave of research and innovation initiatives. The success of SEBCoVE and similar projects signals a promising future for sustainable energy solutions and workforce development in the European market.

Tackling Competency and Skills Challenges in Smart Electricity for Buildings

The SEBCoVE project, funded under the Erasmus+ framework, is proud to present its latest deliverable, the comprehensive “D2.3 Competences and Skills Gap” report. This document identifies critical gaps in competencies and skills in the Smart Electricity for Buildings (SEB) sector across six regions in Europe: Crete (Greece), Brandenburg-Berlin (Germany), Lombardy (Italy), Basque Country (Spain), Porto (Portugal), and North Macedonia.

As the SEB sector undergoes a rapid transformation driven by digitalization, renewable energy adoption, and sustainability objectives, ensuring the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills has become paramount. The report highlights the sector’s key technological drivers, from IoT and AI to energy storage systems and cybersecurity, while identifying mismatches between existing Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs and emerging market needs.

Key Findings:
  • Competency Gaps: The report outlines critical deficiencies in AI integration, cybersecurity, and hybrid renewable energy systems training across VET curricula.
  • Regional Insights: Each region showcases unique strengths and challenges, such as Crete’s renewable energy focus and Brandenburg-Berlin’s advanced BAS adoption.
  • Actionable Recommendations: From modernizing curricula to enhancing industry collaboration, the report provides a roadmap to align workforce capabilities with sectoral demands.
Through this work, SEBCoVE aims to standardize competencies across regions using frameworks like EQF, ECVET, and ESCO, fostering mobility, innovation, and excellence in the SEB sector.

Learn more about the report and our upcoming initiatives on the SEBCoVE website!