Writer: Amanda Aranda
VET4CHAINS: Building sustainable automotive value chains with SMEs in Germany, Spain, Mexico, and Colombia through training, innovation, and collaboration.
What if the cars we drive today could be produced in a way that leaves the planet greener, workplaces more inclusive, and industries stronger? This is the vision behind VET4CHAINS, a bold initiative bringing sustainable practices to the heart of the automotive industry.
Collaborating across Germany, Spain, Mexico, and Colombia, VET4CHAINS aims to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and vocational educators with the tools they need to meet the challenges of sustainability. Here’s how this transformative project is making an impact.
Understanding the Challenges
In the dynamic world of the automotive industry, SEMs face a daunting question: How can they transition to sustainable practices while staying competitive? From April to August 2024, VET4CHAINS conducted a Context Analysis to uncover the answers.
Figure 1 Process Flow for Context Analysis in the VET4CHAINS Project
Spanning the four partner countries, the analysis combined interviews, surveys, and industry data, uncovering key challenges:
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Limited Access to Training: SMEs often lack comprehensive education on environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
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Technological Barriers: Industry 4.0 technologies like IoT and robotics are essential but face high costs and skill gaps.
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Cultural Differences: Varying emphases on circular economy and gender equity shape sustainability practices.
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Underutilized Work-Based Learning (WBL): WBL is recognized as vital but remains underdeveloped due to limited resources and infrastructure.
Empowering a New Generation of Sustainability Leaders
Real change begins with the right skills. The Competence Profile developed by VET4CHAINS, aligned with European Qualification Framework Level 4, equips professionals with practical, actionable knowledge to lead sustainability initiatives. The framework empowers professionals to lead sustainability initiatives and adapt to industry demands. It focuses on:
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Sustainability Practices: Basics of sustainable production, waste management, and energy efficiency.
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Environmental Strategies: Implementing circular economy principles and international standards.
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Social Strategies: Promoting inclusion, gender equity, and WBL in SMEs.
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Industry 4.0 Applications: Utilizing IoT and AI tools to reduce environmental impact.
Bank of Good Practices: Real-World Solutions
How can SMEs put these competencies into action? The Bank of Good Practices provides the answer. Featuring 31 success stories from Germany, Spain, Mexico, and Colombia, this resource highlights innovative strategies that SMEs can adopt to make an immediate impact. Examples include:
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Clean technologies, such as water-based lacquering to reduce VOC emissions.
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Circular economy strategies, like the use of 93 % recyclable synthetic materials.
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Innovative energy solutions, including solar energy systems and hydrogen-based fuel cells. The practices are categorized by country, offering a comparative overview to encourage cross-border knowledge sharing
Next Steps: Toward a Sustainable Future
VET4Chains is committed to equipping SMEs with the tools they need to thrive sustainably. Combining insights from our Context Analysis, Competence Profile, and Bank of Good Practices, we’re developing targeted training programs that meet today’s industry needs and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.
Are you passionate about shaping the future of the automotive industry? Visit our website and join our Community of Practice! Connect with like-minded professionals, exchange insights, and collaborate on driving sustainable value chains forward.
Karol Puscus, Project Manager: karol.puscus@fir.rwth-aachen.de
Amanda A. Núñez, Junior Project Manager: amanda.arandanunez@fir.rwth-aachen.de
