The BT4VET consortium recently convened in Brussels for a pivotal transnational project meeting that brought together partners from across Europe. The meeting marked the completion of the project’s second major work phase (WP2)—focused on developing the VET Business Index and the Classification of Operational Business Models—and laid the foundation for Work Package 3 (WP3): Developing an Innovative Business Concept for VET Providers.

The Brussels event was not just a formal checkpoint; it was a moment of strategic alignment and collective ambition. Partners exchanged experiences, reviewed the tools and models created in WP2, and worked together to shape the roadmap for the next stage of the project.

WP3 aims to operationalize the transformation started in WP2. Its goal is to enable VET providers to evolve into versatile actors capable of delivering a wider range of services and creating new value for communities, businesses, and learners alike.

WP3 is structured into two key activities:

1. Activity 1 – Development of a Transformative Model
   This activity will produce an innovative conceptual model to help VET providers become multi-service institutions. It outlines the competencies, structures, and management strategies needed to transition into service providers beyond vocational education—without losing their core mission. The model draws from the Lotus Blossom methodology, visualized through a multi-dimensional matrix. At its center lies the VET provider, surrounded by potential business value propositions. These include innovation services, enterprise support, community engagement, digital training, and more—each one a potential business avenue to explore.
2. Activity 2 – Development of a Practical Business Toolkit
   To ensure the transformation is not just conceptual, WP3 will also produce a comprehensive operational suite of tools and resources. These include “How-To” guides, checklists, templates, and exercises—offering VET managers and staff the tools they need to:
   • Develop new training and service products;
   • Identify and enter new market niches;
   • Establish strategic partnerships and networks;
   • Explore innovative financing models (including equity, loans, and public-private hybrids);
   • Structure new operational and governance models aligned with business logic.

Together, these outputs will form a complete innovation package for VET providers. They are designed to be practical, accessible, and aligned with the real-world challenges faced by VET operators across Europe.

As always, the project remains committed to accessibility and openness. All materials will be available in multiple languages, free of charge, on the project’s official platform: https://www.bt4vet.eu/