Expanding Vocational Excellence Across South East Europe
COVE-EXSEE is a forward-looking Erasmus+ initiative that expands vocational excellence in advanced manufacturing, welding and NDT across South-East Europe. By building on the achievements of COVE-WENDT, AILEEN and WELDNET, it creates interconnected regional support structures to accelerate the green and digital transition in VET.
The mission of COVE-EXSEE is to expand and strengthen Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) across South-East Europe. By building on the legacy of prior projects, the initiative fosters innovation, develops advanced digital and green skills, and establishes sustainable collaboration between VET providers, industries, and regional policy-makers.
Building on the Legacy of COVE-WENDT, AILEEN & WELDNET
Explore the Project BackgroundCOVE-EXSEE brings together research institutes, federations and universities from Romania, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Türkiye and Serbia to build a shared Centre of Vocational Excellence in welding, joining and non-destructive testing - anchoring skills development in real industrial need.
Cross-Border Cooperation: Connecting national training bodies into one coherent, mobile, and mutually recognised vocational network.
Certified Standards: Aligning curricula with EWF, IIW and ISO-recognised qualification frameworks for welding and NDT personnel.
Bridging Excellence: Transforming South-East European VET through Collaboration
COVE-EXSEE is not just about local growth; it is about creating a unified ecosystem of Vocational Excellence. By connecting established CoVEs, we are dismantling barriers, scaling up proven training methodologies, and actively engaging the entire vocational education community from classroom to boardroom.
Framework
Engagement
Recommendations
Maximum Synergy
& Scalability
Connecting advanced skills with real manufacturing needs
COVE-EXSEE links certified education, applied research and industry across six countries to modernise welding, joining and inspection training.
Strategic
Core Competencies:
Transnational Knowledge Synergies & CoVE Expansion:
Strengthening transnational cooperation between Centres of Vocational Excellence to share expertise and scale impact across borders.
Dual Green & Digital Skills Integration:
Embedding green and digital competencies side by side, equipping the workforce for a sustainable, technology-driven industry.
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration:
Building lasting partnerships with industry, education and policy stakeholders to co-design responsive VET solutions.
Systemic Sustainability & Smart Specialisation Policy Alignment:
Aligning training and innovation priorities with regional smart specialisation strategies for long-term sustainability.
Consortium
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Help Shape the Future of Vocational Excellence
Share your insights through the COVE-EXSEE Interest Survey and help strengthen skills and training ecosystems across the region.
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Serbia's National Welding Competition
COVE-EXSEE engaged with industry and education stakeholders, promoting stronger cooperation and identifying future skills needs.
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Officially Enters Implementation Phase
COVE-EXSEE has officially launched, bringing together key VET, research and industry partners to advance vocational excellence across South-East Europe.
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