LCAMP 2025: Regional Voices and Global Visions Unite for the Future of VET
15/05/2025
What happens when nearly 200 vocational educators, policy influencers, and industry players from Europe, North America, and beyond gather in the heart of Swedish manufacturing? At the LCAMP 2025 Conference, they didn’t just talk about the future of skills—they built it.
From 13–15 May, the LCAMP Networking Camp transformed Finspång into a vibrant hub of exchange, exploration, and hands-on innovation. Hosted by Curt Nicolin Gymnasiet, the conference served as a major milestone for LCAMP – Learner Centric Advanced Manufacturing Platform, that counts with the participation of EARLALL and dedicated to shaping Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) for Industry 4.0.
A Regional Lens on a Global Challenge
The conference opened with powerful local and regional voices. Mats Annerfeldt, Chairman of the Municipal Council, and Anders Södergren, Director of the host school, set the tone: regional ecosystems are at the frontline of vocational innovation.
Their message was echoed by leaders from Siemens Energy, Rold Academy (Italy), and Sweden’s Erasmus+ National Agency, who stressed the urgency of adapting VET systems to meet green transition goals, demographic shifts, and industry’s rapidly evolving demands.
Alicia Gabán Barrio, EARLALL’s Communications Manager, returned as moderator for the second time, guiding discussions with clarity and energy. Her skilled facilitation helped highlight the human stories behind the data, the value of cross-sector dialogue, and the importance of making innovation accessible.
EARLALL’s Director, Noelia Cantero, joined the stage to highlight how cooperation across regions—and between sectors—is key to creating lifelong learning systems that truly respond to people’s lives and work. “LCAMP is not just a project,” she said, “it’s a growing alliance.”
Learning Factories: Where Education Meets Reality
One of the conference’s most inspiring topics was the Learning Factory model: physical and digital environments where students train using real technologies and solve real-world problems. Unai Ziarsolo from Miguel Altuna LHII introduced the Collaborative Learning Factory (CLF)—a cross-border, challenge-based learning model launching in 2026 that brings students, trainers, and industry together around shared learning goals.
Partners from France, the Basque Country, Türkiye, Italy, Germany, and Canada showcased their own “labs in action,” offering a vision of how VET can keep pace with industrial transformation—not just react to it.
Tools for Today, Skills for Tomorrow
Beyond ideas, LCAMP brought tools:
- A Skill Finder for mapping future competencies
- A Self-Assessment Tool to support Learning Factories
- A guide to SME–VET collaboration
- Resources to boost student and staff mobility
Each tool aims to help VET providers stay relevant, flexible, and close to both learners and labour markets.
Ground-Level Innovation: Site Visits and Labs
The conference wasn’t just talk—it was tactile. Participants visited Siemens Energy and KL Industri AB, witnessing first-hand how local industries are leading innovation while partnering with education. They also explored the Visualisation Center and Linköping University, diving into additive manufacturing and other cutting-edge research.
A Call to Action: Join the Alliance
The final message of the conference was clear: shaping the future of VET requires more than good practices—it needs strong partnerships.
Iñigo Araiztegui Arraiz, LCAMP’s coordinator, called on attendees to become part of the LCAMP Alliance. “This is the beginning of a journey,” he said. “Let’s walk it together.”
EARLALL, as a strategic partner, encourages all regions, institutions, and stakeholders committed to lifelong learning and innovation to join the movement.
Want to get involved?
📩 Reach out to info@lcamp.eu and help build a learner-centric, future-proof VET landscape across Europe and beyond.
