Sustainable Development of Professional Competences – Insights from an International Project within Interreg Brandenburg-Poland 2021-2027

Purpose: The main objective of the study is to present the assumptions and goals for the sustainable development of professional competences of the international Project: „Education Connects – Development of digitally networked competence centres for vocational training in the context of Industry 4.0” within the Interreg VI A Brandenburg-Poland 2021-2027 programme. Moreover, it aims at providing examples of good practice for cooperation between education institutions, business and regional authorities to ensure measurable outcomes of vocational education in a cross-border environment. Design/Methodology/Approach: In order to achieve the research objective an explorative qualitative study was conducted. The nature of the case study is descriptive and practical orientated and the research subject was selected with a purposeful sampling technique. Primary data was obtained in 2024 using the method of direct interviews (10 informants related to the Project), participatory observation, and inference in the form of recommendations. To confront a variety of data sources the principle of triangulation was applied. Findings: The study illustrates real practice-oriented activities focused on digitalization of the vocational education process and training of professional competences. Two Competence Centres (KomZen 4.0) and digital „Learning Factories 4.0” are intended to be a response to the challenges related to the rapid adaptation of teaching programs to the needs of the market and Industry 4.0, as well as an innovative channel for the diffusion of expert knowledge and experience. Practical Implications: The designed activities and objectives of the cross-border project provide examples of good practice in the development of professional competences in the digital era, and thus can inspire other vocational education institutions, companies and local authorities to use these practices and apply them for their own cross-border projects. The expected project outcomes may support decision-makers involved with vocational education, internationalization and business collaboration more broadly. Originality/Value: The originality lies in presenting the real vocational education context in the cross-border perspective. The study reflects on challenges and new solutions supporting the digitalization of the professional development. The value of the research is of an application nature for vocational education institutions and contributes to the dissemination of good practices.