Project overview
Innovative Skills for Promoting Inclusive Rural Education in Central Europe
Peripheral manufacturing regions face youth unemployment and brain drain because advanced training is concentrated in big centres. INNOSKILLS-CE aims to bring next-generation manufacturing skills and careers closer to young people. Partners develop immersive training using tools such as 3D headsets and interactive simulators, combine this with mentoring and links to local SMEs and refine curricula together. Shared modules help regions support smart specialisation, keep talent and stay competitive in smart manufacturing.
-
0,80m €
-
Project Budget
-
80%
-
of the Budget is funded by ERDF
-
3
-
Countries
-
3
-
Regions
-
3
-
Partners
-
1
-
Pilots
Duration
Start date
End date
Project progress
About the project
INNOSKILLS-CE aims to strengthen skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on young people living in rural and peripheral areas. The project supports the development of training programmes based on immersive technologies such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) and introduces a digital Learning Management System (LMS) platform. Thanks to these solutions, students, schools and businesses can explore practical learning pathways that are better aligned with labour market needs. The project contributes to reducing brain drain, increasing youth employability and supporting the growth of SMEs in the manufacturing and technology sectors, while also strengthening the economic and social cohesion of less developed areas.
The project is implemented in three regions in Central Europe that are located away from the main development centres, with one region in each partner country. These areas have economic potential, but they face structural challenges and barriers to keeping pace with an increasingly dynamic and competitive global economy. In Italy, the project focuses on the inland area of Lower Ferrara, where geographical isolation, declining employment, a high rate of early school leaving and a lack of technical and digital skills are key issues. In Poland, activities are centred around Wałbrzych, a post-industrial and post-mining area affected by high youth unemployment and a decline in vocational education and training. In Hungary, the project works in Vas County, which has a strong automotive sector but struggles with a shortage of skilled labour and a high level of youth migration abroad.
To respond to these challenges, INNOSKILLS-CE follows an innovative, multi-dimensional approach that combines immersive AR/VR-based training, a shared LMS platform connecting students, schools and SMEs, and structured cooperation between schools, businesses, public authorities and training centres. The main results of the project include a joint training strategy designed to adapt curricula to labour market needs, a package of innovative solutions for training (including procedures and AR/VR content), pilot activities testing immersive training approaches in practice, and a transnational LMS system for sharing educational materials and supporting continuous training through an innovative, hands-on model.
The project’s target groups include SMEs active in key manufacturing sectors such as mechanics, automation and robotics, as well as business support organisations representing local SMEs and the wider business community. The project also addresses secondary school students and teachers, universities and post-secondary vocational training institutions (including ITS/IFTS), and public authorities and policymakers responsible for education and regional development. In addition, the general public in the project regions will benefit from increased awareness and access to information related to education, skills development and labour market opportunities.
Project partnership
Project partners
Lead partner
SIPRO Ferrara Development Agency
Project partner
PBN Szombathely
Roadmap
Context
Peripheral and rural regions have industrial potential, but they also face youth outmigration, shortages of technical and digital skills, and limited access to modern vocational education and training. Companies need employees prepared for Industry 4.0, while schools often lack tools and methods that make learning practical and attractive.
Specific problem
There is a gap between what school curricula teach and what employers actually need. Young people have limited exposure to real work environments, and companies in smaller towns are less likely to take part in modern training initiatives. As a result, skills are often mismatched, VET becomes less attractive, and more young people leave for larger cities or abroad.
Project idea
The project brings together three perspectives: schools and students, SMEs, and public authorities together with business support organisations. It starts with mapping skills and needs, then jointly develops educational solutions that can be implemented locally. Immersive AR/VR technologies and an LMS platform play a key role by enabling learning through practice without requiring constant access to industrial facilities.
Solution
AR/VR-based training programmes and a digital LMS platform will be developed to connect schools, students and companies. The content will be created and refined together with SMEs, teachers and experts so that scenarios reflect real workplace tasks. In parallel, a joint training strategy will be prepared to better align curricula with labour market needs and support the long-term uptake of solutions after the project ends.
Testing and pilot phase
The solutions will be tested in schools with the involvement of key stakeholders. Students and teachers will use AR/VR tools and provide feedback, while companies will assess the relevance of skills and scenarios. The testing results will be used to improve the materials so they are ready for wider use.
Dissemination and sustainability
Project results will be showcased across the regions through local events and information activities aimed at schools, SMEs and public institutions. Sustainability will be supported through stakeholder cooperation and formal arrangements such as a memorandum, helping maintain and further develop the solutions beyond the project lifetime. The project will conclude with a transnational conference presenting outcomes and recommendations.
News
Events
Pilot actions
Outputs
SME Mapping and Skills Needs Analysis
Project Communication Strategy and Action Plan
AR/VR and LMS Pilot for Modern VET
Memorandum of Understanding for Long-term Cooperation
Project videos
Project documents
Newsletters
INNOSKILLS-CE
Priority 1: Cooperating for a smarter central Europe
SO 1.2: Strengthening skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship in central Europe
The project lead partner is solely responsible for all content published on this project website, including, where applicable, content created with the support of AI tools and the appropriate labelling of such content. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme, its programme bodies or the European Union.