QUEEN Partners Gather in San Sebastian to Boost Apprenticeships
01/12/2025
EARLALL participated in the second partner meeting of the QUEEN project (Quality Apprenticeships for Evolving Labour Needs), held on 26–27 November 2025 in San Sebastian, Basque Country. The meeting brought together project partners and local stakeholders. Hosted by TKNIKA (the Basque Country’s applied research centre for VET, iTalent (Basque Institute of Talent in VET) and IVAF (Basque Institute for Future Learning in Vocational Education and Training), the two-day event explored territorial challenges, innovative solutions and models to strengthen apprenticeship systems across Europe.
The meeting opened with a keynote from Inge Gorostiaga Luzarraga, Director of Digital Transformation and Advanced Learning, who provided an overview of the Basque VET system. Luzarraga highlighted the region’s strong labour-market orientation, rapid growth in student numbers, and commitment to investing in people. She also underlined key priorities, including the multifunctional VET model, the VET Plan 2030, and the work of supporting agencies in fostering innovation, dual training, and inclusive, future-oriented learning.
Lorenzo Sabatini, QUEEN Project Coordinator, welcomed participants, noting that the project is at a crucial stage between identifying needs and designing solutions. He emphasized that the meeting would focus on sharing policy insights, exploring the Basque dual apprenticeship system, and learning from the ETHAZI challenge-based learning approach and the IVAF Guidance Strategy 2023–2026.
José Ramón Gómez Laconcha, Executive Director at iTalent, presented the Basque industrial ecosystem and the dual VET system, mandatory from the first year. He also introduced the ETHAZI model, a challenge-based approach that fosters problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking in real-world workplace settings. Gorka Baqueriza Modrego, Director at TKNIKA, highlighted the role of VET institutions in knowledge transfer to industry. The session concluded with Joseba Rodríguez Arza, Director at IVAF, who outlined the Guidance Strategy 2023–2026, aimed at enhancing personalised learner support and system-wide coordination.
The two-day meeting also featured interactive workshops and a Territorial Exhibition session, facilitated by Resolvo. Partners worked on four thematic areas – Digitalisation, Equality, Skills Mismatches, and Comprehensive Strategies – to brainstorm proposals, identify gaps, and share good practices to enhance apprenticeship systems.
During the Steering Group Meeting, EARLALL presented recent communication and dissemination achievements, highlighting the project’s growing visibility through articles, videos, and stakeholder engagement. Partners also exchanged experiences on good practices, focusing on results, user-friendliness, and transferability.
Participants concluded the visit with a tour of TKNIKA’s applied research facilities, gaining insight into the latest innovations in agriculture, biotechnology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing – linked to the LCAMP project (Learner Centric Advanced Manufacturing Platform for CoVEs).
The San Sebastian meeting reinforced the value of interregional cooperation, innovation, and hands-on learning in improving apprenticeship systems. Through peer learning and practical exchanges, EARLALL continues to support the QUEEN project in fostering quality apprenticeships, enhancing employability, and promoting inclusive regional growth.
The next partner meeting will take place on 20–21 May 2026 in South West Finland.
