This week, HETEL welcomed the members of the GeTinVET project to Bilbao, hosting the second consortium meeting at the facilities of Otxarkoaga Vocational Training Center. The GeTinVET project focuses on developing sustainable skills related to energy efficiency in building construction and maintenance, with an emphasis on collaboration across different trades to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The meeting provided an opportunity for the partners to review progress since the kick-off meeting in Cologne and to plan the next steps in the project. Discussions centered on defining sustainable competencies that align with the evolving needs of the construction industry, particularly in terms of energy efficiency and environmental impact. GeTinVET involves several international partners, including: Moreover, beyond the hard work, the project partners also had the chance to enjoy some great moments exploring Bilbao, making the most of their time together in the city, embodying the spirit of the Erasmus program by strengthening the bonds created among participants. The next consortium meeting will take place in September in the Finnish city of Kouvola, where partners are already preparing to work hard and give their best. The project will conclude in June 2025 with a course at the Arnhem Summer School in the Netherlands, where the results of the GeTinVET project will be presented, along with the best practices developed throughout the project.
Category: News
Closing a Green Chapter: Farewell to the Growing Green Project
On June 17th and 18th, in the picturesque city of Billund, Denmark, we held our final meeting of the Growing Green project. These two days not only marked the official closure of our project but also the end of an incredible three-year journey that has transformed our vision of vocational training and the environment. A Path of Growth and Learning Over these three years, we have witnessed significant progress in integrating circularity and environmental awareness into European vocational training. Our project has borne tangible fruits: innovative educational manuals, interactive games, a green competence framework, and a compendium of sustainable business prototypes. These results are not just achievements on paper; they represent a real change in how we educate our future professionals. But beyond these concrete results, what truly fills us with pride is knowing that we have sown the seeds of lasting change. The content and methodologies we have developed will continue to be valid and relevant in the years to come, guiding new generations of students towards a more sustainable future. Enduring Bonds However, Growing Green has been much more than an educational project. It has been a journey of personal discovery and the formation of lasting friendships. The bonds we have forged with our partners from Denmark, Italy, and Slovenia transcend the professional realm. We are confident that these relationships will lead to new collaborations, exciting projects, and a continuous exchange of ideas and inspiration. We fondly remember the long working days, the challenges we faced together, and the creative solutions we found as a team. But beyond the hard work, we cherish the moments of shared laughter, lively dinners after meetings, and deep conversations that allowed us to know each other not just as colleagues, but as people. A Green Family Over these years, Growing Green has become more than a project: it has become a family. A family committed to a greener and more sustainable future, united by a passion for education and care for the environment. The friendships that have emerged among us are perhaps the most valuable and lasting outcome of this project. Looking to the Future As we close this chapter in Billund, we can’t help but feel excited about what the future holds. Although the Growing Green project officially ends, its spirit and teachings will live on through each of us, through the students who will benefit from our work, and through the future projects that will undoubtedly be born from this experience. To all who have been part of this incredible adventure: thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your ideas, your passion, and your friendship. Together, we have shown that when we work united towards a common goal, we can make a real difference in the world. The Growing Green project may be coming to an end, but our commitment to a greener and more sustainable future is just beginning. May the bonds we have formed and the lessons we have learned guide us towards new horizons, new challenges, and new successes. Farewell, Growing Green family! This is not a goodbye, but a see you later. The future is green, and we will build it together.
Final Event of the Growing Green Project in the Basque Country: Presenting Results
On June 13th, HETEL and Salesianos Urnieta organized the final event of the Growing Green project in the Basque Country, funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ program. The online presentation, which took place from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, was attended by 87 people, mainly teachers from other training centers and stakeholders from local organizations. A Participative and Diverse Multiplier Event The hour-and-a-half long presentation was characterized by its participatory and inclusive approach. We had the involvement of: Final Results Presented During the event, we showcased the main achievements and products developed in Growing Green: Impact and Attendees’ Reaction The reception of the event was extremely positive. Attendees showed great interest in the project’s results and its potential to transform vocational training. They particularly highlighted: Several participants expressed their desire to implement aspects of Growing Green in their own centers, demonstrating the project’s potential for scalability. Conclusion and Next Steps The success of this final event marks an important milestone in the conclusion of the Growing Green project. It has demonstrated the positive impact that the project has had on the educational community in the Basque Country and beyond. As we approach the official end of the project, we are committed to continuing to disseminate these results and to support other training centers in implementing sustainable and innovative educational practices. If you’re interested in learning more about Growing Green or how your center can benefit from this initiative, don’t hesitate to contact our team. Together, we can continue training the professionals of the future with a solid foundation in sustainability and environmental responsibility.
We bring Erasmus+ Project Growing Green to our Schools
On April 22nd, at the Maristak Durango facilities, we organized a special event to present Growing Green, a project funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ program, to representatives from our 33 associated centers. With an attendance of 39 participants, the event was a unique opportunity to share the progress and results of this initiative focused on sustainability in Vocational Education and Training (VET). What is Growing Green? Growing Green is a project that aims to promote innovative and sustainable VET while fostering entrepreneurial culture among European youth. It is an initiative by Ed-Consult and Erhvervsskolen Vestjylland from Denmark, HETEL and Salesianos Urnieta from the Basque Country, Il mio futuro, CIAPE, and Liceo Curie from Italy, and STEP Institute and GEPS from Slovenia. Key Results Presented During the event, we shared the main outcomes developed in Growing Green: Project Impact We highlighted how these results are enabling: Our centers’ reaction The response from the representatives was very positive. Many expressed their enthusiasm for incorporating elements of Growing Green into their educational programs. An animated debate was generated on how to adapt our proposals to the specific realities of each center. Did you miss it? If you couldn’t attend the event but are interested in learning more about Growing Green, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re here to help you take the leap towards greener and more sustainable vocational training. Together, we’re shaping the environmentally conscious professionals of the future!
TRIREME blueprint project kick of meeting in Brussels
From April 10 to 12, the kick-off meeting of the Erasmus Blueprint TRIREME project was held in Brussels, in which HETEL participates along with 31 other partners. In this first meeting, the objectives, tasks and indicators of the different work packages have been established through which we will address the reskilling, upskilling and qualification strategy in key skills of the sector for people employed in the mobility- transport-automotive ecosystem. It is the first time for HETEL to be involve in a blueprint project, in which we will be working until February 2028. On this trip we will have the support of the Egibide and Somorrostro schools to carry out the different planned actions. You can follow the project inputs on twitter ( @ProjectTrireme ) and Linkedin ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/trireme-digital-and-green-skills-towards-future-of-the-mobility-ecosystem/about/ )
We present the Growing Green project at Tknika Days
On March 21st, as part of the Tknika Days held at the iconic Miramar Palace in San Sebastian, we had the opportunity to present Growing Green, a project funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ program. The presentation was made to an international audience of nearly 100 representatives from Vocational Education and Training (VET) centers. Growing Green is a project that aims to promote innovative and sustainable VET while fostering entrepreneurial culture among European youth. It is an initiative by Ed-Consult and Erhvervsskolen Vestjylland from Denmark, HETEL and Salesianos Urnieta from the Basque Country, Il mio futuro, CIAPE, and Liceo Curie from Italy, and STEP Institute and GEPS from Slovenia. During our presentation, we shared the main outcomes of Growing Green: Compendium of Prototypes: We are compiling a collection of green business projects created by students, which will serve as a showcase of innovative ideas. Educational Manual: We have developed a manual specially designed to integrate circular economy principles into existing curricula. Educational Game: Along with the manual, we have created a game that facilitates practical learning of sustainability and circular economy concepts. Growing Green Competence Framework: We are developing a set of competencies for green entrepreneurship, designed to align with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Thanks to these results, we have observed a multifaceted impact: students are now capable of conceiving green business ideas from scratch and applying their learning to real-world situations, developing business prototypes that demonstrate a clear understanding of sustainable practices and commitment to environmental issues. Additionally, we’ve seen effective training of educators across various countries in the use of our resources, leading to a transformation of the classroom experience through the incorporation of sustainability and circular economy concepts. The reception of the Growing Green project among the attendees at Tknika Days was extremely positive. Representatives from VET centers showed great interest in our innovative approach to integrating sustainability into education. Many attendees expressed their enthusiasm for the project’s potential to transform vocational training and better prepare students for future challenges. In particular, the educational game and manual received praise for their practical and accessible approach. Several participants approached us after the presentation to explore possibilities for collaboration and to obtain more information on how they could implement aspects of Growing Green in their own centers. The overall reaction was that the project is not only timely but also essential for the future of vocational training in Europe.
Growing Green project: Developing sustainability competencies
The Erasmus Plus Growing Green project aims to identify and develop skills related to the circular economy and sustainability for their integration into the vocational training curriculum. The newsletter is now available to follow the progress of the project: https://web.somoscaidalibre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Newsletter-n2-Growing-green.pdf
Launch of the ‘CIRCULAR VET’ Project to Promote Circular Economy in Vocational Training
The “CIRCULAR VET” project has officially begun with a kick-off meeting held on February 7th and 8th, 2024, at the Somorrostro Training Center in Muskiz, Basque Country. This event marked the beginning of collaborative work among the project partners to promote vocational training in the circular economy and prepare students for the demands of a sector increasingly focused on sustainability and circularity. The “CIRCULAR VET” project focuses on updating vocational training (VET) curricula with competencies linked to the transition from a linear to a circular business model in the metalworking sector. The project partners include, in addition to HETEL, the Somorrostro Training Center (Basque Country), ECOLE (Italy), Prios Kompetanse AS (Norway), the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED) (Greece), and EVBB (Germany). The project will last 24 months, from December 2023 to November 2025, with a total budget of 250,000 euros. During the two-day kick-off meeting, the main objectives of the project were presented, including filling the gap in green skills in vocational training, updating VET curricula with a focus on the circular economy, and preparing the future workforce to work on reducing the carbon footprint. The activities to be developed in each work package, as well as the project schedule and the responsibilities of each partner, were discussed. A key aspect of the meeting was the collaboration of educational institutions to identify the needs of the industrial sector and adapt the training content accordingly. Interviews will be conducted with companies in the metalworking sector and surveys will be carried out with vocational training teachers, with the aim of identifying the skills needed to promote the circular economy in this field. The results of these investigations will serve as the basis for the creation of new training content and teaching materials, including MOOCs that will be available to all centers in the network. The meeting concluded with a general discussion session and the planning of the next steps, including the preparation of initial materials and the launch of the first research and training activities. The next in-person project meeting is scheduled for October in Milan, where the progress achieved will be reviewed.
HETEL drives the GeTinVET project to improve skills in the construction sector
HETEL has taken an important step forward in the GeTinVET project with the kick-off meeting held in Cologne, Germany. This project aims to define the transversal skills needed by workers in the construction and building maintenance sector, with the goal of fostering collaboration and improving sustainability in the field. The technical complexity of modern buildings requires specific skills that enable different trades to work more efficiently and in a more coordinated manner. GeTinVET involves the participation of several international partners, including: In addition, alongside HETEL, the Otxarkoaga Vocational Training Center also plays a key role. The initiative will conclude in June 2025 with a course at the Arnhem Summer School in the Netherlands, where the project results will be presented and the best practices developed will be shared.
Growing Green: Innovation and Sustainability in Vocational Training
From September 25th to 28th, Ljubljana was the backdrop for a specialized educational event under the Erasmus+ Growing Green project. HETEL, along with other international partners, showcased groundbreaking tools such as a game based on Lego Serious Play, tailored to instill the principles of green entrepreneurship in VT students. Our representatives, teachers from Jesuitak Indautxu, together with our partners in the project Salesianos Urnieta and organizations from Slovenia, Italy, and Denmark, delving into materials such as manuals and the “Growing Green” game. Interaction and networking enriched the event, facilitating the sharing of ideas and methodologies. We are proud to be part of this initiative that seeks not only to educate in sustainability but also highlight the importance and profitability of green entrepreneurship in today’s Europe. Discover more about this project and its tools at www.growing-green.eu.