The aerospace and defence sector is undergoing a major transformation, driven by advanced manufacturing, digitalisation and sustainability demands.
To keep pace with these changes, vocational education and training (VET) systems must continue to adapt and provide professionals with the skills required by industry. In this context, AILEEN – centres of vocAtional Excellence in aErospace & defence for advanced maNufacturing – brings together key European stakeholders to strengthen skills development across the sector.

Funded by the Erasmus+ programme, AILEEN is establishing a coordinated network of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) focused on advanced manufacturing technologies, including welding and additive manufacturing. The project supports the development of updated curricula, common competence frameworks and training standards that reflect current and future industry needs.

By promoting cooperation between industry, VET providers and higher education institutions, AILEEN contributes to a stronger skills base for the aerospace and defence sector. At the same time, it helps integrate digital and green skills into vocational pathways, supporting Europe’s industrial resilience and its twin digital and green transitions.

As the project coordinator, EWF supports AILEEN’s implementation by ensuring effective project management and alignment across the consortium. Building on its long-standing expertise in qualification systems and skills development for advanced manufacturing, including welding and additive manufacturing, EWF also contributes to the development of competence frameworks and training approaches that can be adopted by VET providers across Europe. This contribution helps ensure that the project’s outputs remain closely connected to real industrial needs, while also supporting comparability and recognition of skills across countries.

Additionally, EWF supports AILEEN’s outreach and stakeholder engagement, helping connect industry, VET providers and the wider skills ecosystem to the project’s network of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs). By contributing to common approaches for cooperation, quality and recognition across countries, EWF helps strengthen the practical implementation and long-term sustainability of the COVES network. Through ongoing dissemination and collaboration activities, EWF reinforces AILEEN’s mission: strengthen Europe’s skills base for aerospace and defence and support the sector’s digital and green transformation.