In today’s rapidly changing world, the need for skilled professionals who can harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle sustainability challenges has never been greater. The SUSTaiN project is here to address this need by integrating AI into vocational education and training (VET), with a focus on key sectors like agriculture, energy, transport, and water management.
Why the Project is Needed
The EU’s commitment to a green, digital future is at the heart of the SUSTaiN project. While AI has immense potential to drive sustainability, there is a significant gap in VET curricula when it comes to preparing the workforce with the necessary digital and green skills. Many VET educators are eager to integrate AI into their teaching but lack the resources and confidence to do so. Additionally, students are increasingly seeking education that equips them with the skills to contribute to a sustainable future in their respective fields, yet current courses often fall short of providing this expertise.
Goals and Objectives
SUSTaiN aims to bridge this gap by equipping VET educators and students with the knowledge and tools to use AI in ways that promote sustainability. The project’s key objectives include:
- Empowering VET Educators: Providing educators with AI-focused training resources to integrate sustainable AI applications into their courses, ensuring they are prepared to teach students the skills required for the green and digital transitions.
- Equipping VET Students: Offering hands-on learning opportunities through AI for sustainability hackathons and other interactive activities, enabling students to apply their knowledge to real-world sustainability challenges.
- Aligning Vocational Education with Industry Needs: Ensuring that VET curricula reflect the evolving demands of industries prioritising digital innovation and sustainability.
Activities in the Pipeline
The SUSTaiN project will roll out several activities designed to support these goals:
- Compendium of Case Studies and Starterpack: A digital resource for VET educators, featuring practical examples of AI applications in agriculture, energy, transport, and water management, alongside teaching strategies and guidelines for integrating AI into curricula.
- AI Training Program for VET: A comprehensive set of open educational resources (OERs) that provide VET educators with interactive, sector-specific modules on AI and sustainability, complete with project-based learning activities and ethical guidelines.
- AI for Sustainability Hackathons: Immersive, interdisciplinary events where students, educators, and industry partners come together to solve real-world sustainability challenges using AI. These hackathons will serve as a platform for hands-on learning, collaboration, and innovation.
Who’s Involved?
The success of the SUSTaiN project is made possible through collaboration with leading institutions across Europe. The partners include:
- Fagskolen Rogaland (Norway): A vocational education leader specialising in renewable energy and sustainability.
- Olemisen Balanssia ry (Finland): A research-based nonprofit focusing on educational innovation and digital pedagogies.
- Fondazione Luigi Clerici (Italy): A VET provider with expertise in agricultural education and sustainable practices.
- The Food Hub (Ireland): A social enterprise dedicated to sustainable agriculture and food innovation, with a strong focus on AI in agriculture.
- The "Todor Kableshkov" University of Transport (Bulgaria): A leading institution in transport and logistics education, contributing expertise in integrating AI into the transport sector.
- Gairmeach Training Ltd. (Ireland): Specialising in AI-driven vocational training solutions and digital transformation in education.
Together, these partners are ensuring that the SUSTaiN project addresses the urgent need for AI and sustainability education, helping to create a workforce that is not only tech-savvy but also equipped to solve the environmental challenges of tomorrow.
Join Us in Shaping the Future
The SUSTaiN project is an exciting step towards a greener, more digitally advanced future for vocational education. As we work together to integrate AI with sustainability, we’re empowering educators, inspiring students, and supporting industries in their transition to a sustainable, tech-driven economy. Stay tuned for updates on our activities and progress as we work to make AI-driven sustainability a core component of vocational education across Europe.
Written by Kathryn O’Brien, EUEI