The Portuguese partners of the HABITABLE project — Cluster Habitat Sustentável, CTCV Coimbra, and the University of Aveiro — have officially launched the HABITABLE Alliance Portugal, a new national initiative to strengthen the skills ecosystem in the Habitat sector. This alliance represents a key step in the project’s mission to develop a network of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) that are actively contributing to the green and digital transitions. Through the HABITABLE Alliance Portugal, the partners aim to promote inclusive, forward-looking cooperation between VET providers, industry, research, and public stakeholders at national level. The national alliance will also be closely connected to similar platforms across the countries participating in the HABITABLE project, reinforcing transnational collaboration and knowledge sharing within the European Habitat skills ecosystem. By aligning educational programmes with labour market needs, and supporting sustainable innovation in training, the HABITABLE Alliance Portugal is committed to enhancing competitiveness, inclusion, and sustainability in the built environment.

The HABITABLE project’s Skills Intelligence Monitoring System (SIMS) has delivered its first major results, offering valuable insights into current and future skill demands in two key sectors: green transition in manufacturing and lightweight and wood construction. This milestone represents a fundamental step toward bridging the gap between Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the evolving needs of the labour market in the Habitat sector. In the manufacturing sector, SIMS identified 184 green-related skills and competences spread across 33 occupations. These include abilities such as assessing environmental impact, using sustainable materials, promoting environmental awareness, and ensuring compliance with environmental legislation. Encouragingly, the analysis revealed that existing training provision already covers all these identified skills gaps. A total of 99 training programmes addressing 204 relevant skills were mapped, confirming the strong alignment between current VET offerings and the demands of the green transition in industry. The study also explored the lightweight and wood construction sector. Here, SIMS identified 208 necessary skills linked to 33 occupations, and 96 training programmes covering 312 skills across 74 occupations. Among the most frequently required competences are integrating building requirements into design processes, using technical drawing software, and operating 3D modelling tools. While most skills are already being addressed in training—277 out of 346 identified—the remaining 69 gaps highlight areas for improvement and innovation in course design. These findings will directly inform two of the project’s flagship digital tools: the Training Offer Panel (TOP HABITAT) and the Sector Map of Jobs and Skills, helping stakeholders identify training needs, design more relevant learning pathways, and strengthen the strategic role of VET in supporting green and digital transitions. The SIMS methodology, based on data-driven sectorial monitoring, is proving essential for guiding policy decisions, designing targeted training offers, and ensuring the workforce is equipped with the right competences for a sustainable future. These first results highlight how VET systems can become more responsive, agile, and aligned with the transformations shaping the European Habitat sector. To learn more about the Skills Intelligence Monitoring System and its initial findings, visit: https://habitable-cove.eu/smart-sip/smart-info/monitoring-system/

The DUAL Online Centre is a dynamic digital platform created under the HABITABLE project to strengthen Work-Based Learning (WBL) in the Habitat sector across Europe. This innovative platform is designed to connect Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), fostering collaboration between vocational education providers, companies, policymakers, and other key stakeholders. It offers a wide range of resources, tools, and collaborative spaces to support high-quality, inclusive, and future-ready learning. At the heart of the DUAL Online Centre lies the CoVEs Online Collaborative Space — a virtual hub that facilitates networking, co-development of training solutions, and the sharing of best practices among professionals. Within this space, users can participate in the implementation of key HABITABLE initiatives such as: The Community of Practice in WBL Excellence, a network for exchanging knowledge and promoting inclusive, innovative approaches to WBL. The Incubator of Business–Education Partnerships, which supports the development of strong cooperation models between VET centres and businesses. Whether you’re an educator, SME representative, VET provider, or policymaker, the DUAL Online Centre offers tailored support to help you address the challenges and opportunities of the green and digital transitions. Explore the DUAL Online Centre: https://habitable-cove.eu/dual-online-centre/

Within the framework of the 4th Vocational Education and Training Forum of Castilla y León held on April 8-9 in Valladolid (Spain), the signing ceremony of the HABITABLE Regional Alliance of Castilla y León took place. This event marked a key step in continuing to strengthen a collaborative model around the habitat sector, and it was made possible thanks to the commitment of all partner organizations, as well as those that, through their presence, have actively chosen to join this process. Signed by AEICE, EDUCACyL, INFODEF, el Instituto De La Construcción De Castilla Y León (ICCL), Fundación Laboral de la Construcción and CESEFOR this alliance is the starting point for improving and promoting collaboration between Europe’s centres of professional excellence and all the key agents in the habitat ecosystem, both at local, regional, national and European level. The HABITABLE Regional Alliance of Castilla y León will now support the recruitment of Business Associations, companies and institutions from the rest of the Autonomous Communities at national level, adding other valuable members (VET providers or stakeholders entities) from others regions to expand HABITABLE methodology, tools and impact

The HABITABLE project was featured at the IV Vocational Education and Training Forum of Castilla y León, held on April 8–9, 2025, at the Valladolid Congress Centre. INFODEF, as a HABITABLE partner, took part in a roundtable discussion on integrating green and digital competencies into VET curricula; concurrently, the Skills Castilla y León 2025 Competition highlighted the talents of young students across over 30 vocational skills areas, including mechatronics, industrial control, renewable energy, carpentry, and masonry. The competition offered a real-world platform to demonstrate both craftsmanship and creativity. Within the masonry area of the competition, HABITABLE hosted a dedicated stand showcasing educational offerings in the habitat sector. The stand provided attendees with insights into sustainable construction practices and the importance of integrating green skills into VET programs.Visitors to the HABITABLE stand had the opportunity to engage with the competitors and VET teachers, and learn about career pathways in sustainable construction. The presence of HABITABLE at this significant event underscored the project’s commitment to promoting excellence in vocational training and to fostering a workforce equipped to meet the challenges of sustainable development in the habitat sector.