AILEEN Takes Center Stage at FORUM CoVEs 2025: Policy Meets Practice

AILEEN project secured significant visibility at the annual FORUM CoVEs 2025 (Forum on Vocational Excellence), a three-day event held from September 8–10 in Kolding, Denmark. The FORUM CoVEs is the annual gathering that brings together European Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs), institutional leaders, teachers, and student representatives to discuss both strategic policy and practical skills development for the future of VET.

Plenary Strategic Discussion:
Our project was instrumental in a high-level VET Excellence Panel that featured leading institutional figures, demonstrating AILEEN's alignment with European strategy. Project Coordinator Adelaide Almeida participated alongside:
• Juergen Siebel, Director of CEDEFOP.
• Pilvi Torsti, Director of the European Training Foundation (ETF).
• Anna Banczyk, Head of Unit, DG EMPL (European Commission).
• Theodor Grassos, Secretary General, EVBB.
• Mads Haugsbøl, Secretary General, Danish VET Student’s Association.

Ms. Almeida's contribution positioned the AILEEN CoVE project and its work on Advanced Manufacturing in Aerospace & Defence directly with Europe's influential VET decision-makers, supporting the project's strategic importance.

Practical Workshops and Ecosystem Building:
Beyond the plenary session, AILEEN actively engaged in practical workshops and debates that reinforced its commitment to skills and sustainability:
• CoVE Sustainability Workshop: Partners CenSec, participated in a workshop focused on the future of the CoVE network and establishing long-term mechanisms to ensure sustainability post-EU funding.
• Gender Equality Debate: Partner Susanne Joel (Mercantec) joined a panel focused on strategies for improving gender equality in craft professions, advocating for a more inclusive high-tech workforce. Watch the video here.
• Skills Focus: AILEEN contributed to the Workshop “Aerospace and Defence – VET Excellence & Sustainability,” sharing best practices on continuous learning, reskilling, and integrating the green transition into VET pathways.

The FORUM CoVEs 2025 strengthened AILEEN's role in building a sustainable, high-quality and in aligning the European VET ecosystem for the Advanced Manufacturing with A&D sector needs.