Vocational Education and Training (VET) plays a crucial role in equipping individuals with the skills they need to succeed in the labour market. However, a pressing question remains: how can we ensure that VET programmes truly align with the specific needs of local labour markets?
This is where AIVET steps in. Funded by Erasmus+, the project aims to bridge the gap between skills intelligence, local labour market needs, and the design of VET programmes by leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
What is AIVET?
AIVET (Artificial Intelligence for VET) is a collaborative initiative led by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), working alongside four key partners:
- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)
- University of Vienna (UNIVIE)
- Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB)
- Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona
Together, this consortium is piloting innovative solutions in Barcelona, Sofia, and Vienna to:
- Develop AI-powered tools that analyze labour market data and offer actionable insights.
- Combine quantitative data (databases), qualitative insights (graduate interviews), and participatory input (employer focus groups).
- Strengthen connections between local labour market intelligence and the design of VET programmes.
Why Does This Matter?
As defined by UNESCO-UNEVOC, VET is “education that adapts to national and local needs, helping people develop skills for production, services, and livelihoods.” However, these needs evolve, shaped by technological advances, economic shifts, and societal changes.
To address these dynamics, skills intelligence—reliable data and insights about labour market demands—plays a crucial role. AIVET’s mission is to make this intelligence robust, locally relevant, and accessible to decision-makers.
Our Impact
Between 2023 and 2026, AIVET aims to:
- Deliver Evidence-Based Insights: Inform VET decision-makers with robust data analysis.
- Provide Practical AI Tools: Enable the design of VET programmes tailored to specific local labour markets.
- Foster International Collaboration: Build a cross-border network committed to enhancing VET in Europe.
AIVET’s methodology is rooted in the FARI principles (ethical AI for society), ensuring the solutions are transparent, fair, and socially responsible (Learn more about FARI principles).
What’s Next?
AIVET will analyze key data sources that provide valuable insights into local labour markets. These include databases managed by institutions in Barcelona, Sofia, and Vienna, each offering unique perspectives on labour trends and skills needs. The project will explore the structure, content, and practical applications of these databases, shedding light on how they support decision-making in vocational education and training.
In the coming year, AIVET will also investigate how artificial intelligence tools can unlock the full potential of this information. By conducting research and providing training, the project will enable stakeholders to leverage these tools for programme design, policymaking, and labour market analysis, ensuring VET programmes remain adaptive and effective.
Through this process, AIVET is committed to fostering innovation and building a robust framework for connecting VET programmes with local labour market demands.