WP7 will focus on the continuous and advanced training of the active population, supporting the fundamental axes of the Agenda, namely the re-engineering process, innovation infusion, energy transition, decarbonisation, circular economy, industrial symbiosis and industrial design with a focus on eco-design, digital transition – namely additive manufacturing technologies, BIM libraries and I4.0 applied to the sector – continuous and advanced training for digital transformation, sustainability and energy transition.

Accessible to the entire sector through virtual and immersive training learning methods that replicate the factory environment (manufacturing processes), laboratory, warehouse, simulating situations for problem solving, generating new ideas, analysing and processing data to support decision making.

The ceramics and glass sectors have a high deficit of qualified and even undifferentiated labour. As a critical current problem that will tend to worsen in the near future, it is urgent to find a sustainable mitigation solution. Consumption patterns and technological development will bring about a new paradigm in attracting, qualifying and retaining human resources, a paradigm that will drive the development of synergies between business industries and the science and technology system in Portugal.

In order to meet the challenge of re-skilling and qualifying the sector’s workforce, we will develop 113 training courses, involving 1765 trainees, in line with the project’s strategic development axes, such as the energy and digital transition, circularity of materials and decarbonisation.

The approach to academia, R&D system entities, technology suppliers and national and international customers is a factor that strengthens the competitiveness of companies. Putting knowledge and technology at the service of companies to face the challenges is the focus of the 3rd activity of this WP, which aims to create synergies between the different stakeholders, to discuss the best international practices, the best technologies and the promotion of national ceramics.