The LCAMP partners kicked off the new year with a Meeting on January 27, 2026, hosted at Crescendo CVO in Mechelen, Belgium. Bringing together partners from across Europe, the meeting marked an important milestone as LCAMP enters its final phase while actively preparing for long-term sustainability beyond the project’s lifetime.
The meeting took place back-to-back with the LCAMP Project Camp, creating a strong bridge between project implementation and future cooperation. During the Project Camp, European stakeholders worked on developing new project ideas and consortia in preparation for upcoming Erasmus+ calls, reinforcing the Alliance’s role as a living framework for continued collaboration.
Strengthening the LCAMP Alliance and Regional Impact
Discussions opened with a focus on strengthening the LCAMP Alliance, highlighting the role of VET centres as drivers of innovation and regional growth. Partners agreed on the direction of the next policy recommendations, which will address the impact of VET centres at regional level. This work builds on earlier policy recommendations related to Collaborative Learning Factories and the Skills Observatory, and directly supports the project’s sustainability objectives.
Partners reflected on the importance of the LCAMP Alliance as a real and human network, capable of sustaining cooperation, innovation, and learner-centred activities well beyond the end of EU funding.
Advancing the Skills Observatory and Data-Driven Tools
A key highlight of the meeting was the discussion on the Skills Observatory. Partners emphasised that the Observatory’s main added value lies in curated, high-quality data, rather than volume alone. The shared objective is to deliver a dynamic and evolving tool that supports evidence-based decision-making at European level and remains relevant after the project ends.
Connecting SMEs, VET Providers, and Open Innovation
The discussion continued with a strong focus on open innovation and the connection between SMEs and VET ecosystems. Partners exchanged updates on open innovation communities and projects, including activities supporting SMEs, vocational education, and collaborative project development. Initiatives such as the LCAMP Project Camp, along with contributions from KIC, MADE, and the Association of VET Slovenia, further demonstrated the value of cross-partner collaboration.
The main priorities identified to strengthen SME–VET connections include:
- Building a strong network of partners to support SMEs
- Developing a common methodology for engaging and working with SMEs
- Enhancing cooperation across the consortium when addressing company needs
Developing the LCAMP Digital Ecosystem
Several sessions focused on the LCAMP digital ecosystem, particularly the development of Collaborative Learning Factories and the LCAMP Platform. The Collaborative Learning Platform repository will host courses, learning structures, and educational products as a shared service for Alliance members.
Partners also reviewed progress on the Learning Self-Assessment Tool, one of LCAMP’s most significant outcomes. Available for over a year and translated into five languages, the tool is currently undergoing further improvements based on user feedback. To date, learners from 18 different schools and organisations have fully completed the assessment.
The importance of quality assurance was underlined, especially considering the scale of work completed, including nearly 700 job profiles, extensive skills data, and micro-credentials feeding into the platform and toolkit.
A Renewed Digital Presence and Long-Term Sustainability
Partners were introduced to a new visual approach for the LCAMP website and platform, designed by partner KIC to improve user experience and place a stronger emphasis on the LCAMP Alliance rather than traditional project structures. The updated design highlights practical tools and services for learners and clearly communicates that LCAMP will remain active after the project ends. This renewed digital presence will be officially showcased after the LCAMP Conference 2026.
Sustainability took centre stage in discussions led by TKNIKA, the project coordinator. Starting in February 2026, the sustainability work will focus on:
- Ensuring the long-term use of LCAMP tools and services
- Defining the continuation and governance of the Alliance
- Developing a Roadmap for Continued Development, to be endorsed by Alliance members by April 2026
Partners agreed that LCAMP represents not an end, but a transition: a living platform, a functioning Skills Observatory, continued cooperation, learner mobility, and new projects developed through the Alliance.
Looking Ahead: LCAMP Conference 2026
The meeting concluded with reflections from Iñigo Araiztegui Arraiz (Tknika), reaffirming the shared commitment to ensuring that LCAMP’s results continue to deliver value across Europe’s advanced manufacturing and vocational education ecosystems.
The next major gathering of the LCAMP Alliance will take place during the LCAMP Conference & Student Hub, scheduled for 21–23 April 2026 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country. The conference will bring together learners, educators, SMEs, and policy stakeholders to showcase results, strengthen collaboration, and jointly shape the future of the LCAMP Alliance.