On the 28th of February 2023, LCAMP partners participated in a dedicated workshop organized by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), coordinator of the ADMA TranS4MErs project. The Quality Mark webinar has marked the final step in the training programme of more than twenty LCAMP colleagues to become certified TranS4MErs under the ADMA Methodology. This event has been a significant milestone in the LCAMP project Work Package on SME-VET connection, which is co-led by Associazione Fabbrica Intelligente Lombardia (AFIL) and Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Máquinas Herramienta (AFM).
ADMA TranS4MErs is a 3-year Horizon 2020 project running from October 2021 to September 2024, which aims to accelerate the transformation of manufacturing companies into “Factories of the Future” able to successfully approach green and digital challenges. By providing advanced skills and digital competencies, ADMA TranS4MErs’ objective is to help SMEs across the European Union improving their competitiveness, digitalisation and sustainability. The current initiative takes over from European ADvanced MAnufacturing Support Centre (ADMA), that was developed between 2018 and 2021, also with the contribution of AFIL as project partner.
LCAMP Work Package on SME-VET connection is fundamental with a view at bridging the gap between the needs of SMEs and the skills and expertise available in the VET sector. For this reason, since the drafting of the Erasmus project proposal, a strong synergy between LCAMP and ADMA TranS4MErs was envisaged. Then, the effective cooperation began in mid-2022, when ADMA TranS4MErs was already implementing its activities and LCAMP was about to start. With a view at knowing more about LCAMP and providing first-hand knowledge about ADMA TranS4MErs, IMR participated to LCAMP kick-off meeting, which was held in San Sebastián (Spain) at the beginning of September 2022.
Since then, the cooperation between the projects has continued and led to this precious learning opportunity for LCAMP partners. Participating in the ADMA TranS4MErs training has been a significant step forward for LCAMP-ers, as it provides them with valuable insights about the ADMA Methodology. LCAMP colleagues are now qualified to use this useful tool in their work with SMEs (also within the project activities), helping to identify areas for improvement and implementing effective solutions that can enhance their performance and competitiveness.