Включено 24–25 June 2026, partners of the Цифров близнак за интелигентно производство project gathered in Ираклион, Гърция, for the project’s sixth Transnational Project Meeting (TPM6), hosted by the Гръцки средиземноморски университет (HMU). The meeting marked another important milestone as the consortium reviewed the project’s progress, evaluated pilot activities, and coordinated the final implementation phase leading towards the International Skills Competition and the project’s long-term sustainability.
Reviewing Progress Across the Project
The meeting opened with a comprehensive overview of the project’s development and the successful completion of the planned activities since the previous partner meeting. Consortium members reviewed progress across all work packages, confirmed that major deliverables remain on schedule, and discussed the priorities for the final phase of the project, with particular emphasis on ensuring that the project’s results continue to benefit vocational education providers and industry beyond the project’s lifetime.
Positive Results from Pilot Testing
A significant part of the discussions focused on the evaluation of the Digital Twin training programme and its pilot implementation across the partner countries.
The external evaluation presented encouraging results. Feedback from approximately 200 participating learners highlighted the quality of the MOOC and the Remote Labs, with students particularly appreciating the practical nature of the learning activities and the stability of the online platform. At the same time, evaluators identified opportunities to further strengthen the learning experience by introducing additional step-by-step tutorials and more gradual explanations of advanced technical concepts, helping future learners build confidence as they progress through the course.
The consortium also reviewed statistics from the learning platform, the Self-Evaluation Tool, the Virtual Labs and the project’s micro-credential system. Partners noted that the gamified approach of the self-assessment tool has been particularly well received by students, while participation levels across the training platform continue to meet the project’s targets.
National Competitions Successfully Completed
Following the completion of the national pilot activities, partners exchanged experiences from the National Skills Competitions organised across the participating countries.
The feedback demonstrated a high level of student engagement and satisfaction. Although participants identified Business Intelligence and Virtual Commissioning as some of the most demanding topics, the competitions proved highly successful in testing practical Digital Twin skills in realistic industrial scenarios. Several partners also shared particularly positive experiences, including examples of students voluntarily enrolling in additional learning modules beyond the mandatory requirements – an encouraging sign of the growing interest in Digital Twin technologies among future professionals.
To further recognise participants’ achievements, the consortium also discussed the introduction of dedicated digital badges for students participating in both the national and international competitions.
Preparing for the International Skills Competition
One of the central objectives of the meeting was the preparation of the upcoming Международно състезание за умения за дигитални близнаци, which will bring together the winning teams from each participating country in Алба, Италия, this October.
Partners finalised many organisational aspects of the event, including the competition format, participant arrangements, evaluation principles, and accompanying activities. The competition will challenge five national teams to solve practical industrial problems over two days using the knowledge acquired throughout the Digital Twin training programme, while also encouraging collaboration, innovation, and the responsible use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence. Company visits and cultural activities will complement the technical programme, providing participants with additional opportunities for international exchange and professional development.
New Digital Tools for Learners
The meeting also introduced several new digital developments that will further enhance the project’s educational ecosystem.
Partners received a first demonstration of the new Digital Twin mobile application, currently undergoing testing, which will provide learners with easier access to project resources and learning materials. In parallel, new Extended Reality (XR) interactive content developed in collaboration with the University of Genoa was presented and tested during the meeting, showcasing additional opportunities for immersive learning experiences within vocational education.
Building Long-Term Impact
Discussions also focused on dissemination activities, the preparation of the project’s final newsletters, and the organisation of national workshops aimed at integrating Digital Twin learning modules into existing educational pathways.
A particularly important topic was the future of the project’s micro-credentials. Partners explored ways to increase their recognition among employers and educational institutions by improving standardisation and demonstrating their value as evidence of specialised Digital Twin competences. These efforts will support the project’s long-term sustainability and contribute to broader recognition of flexible, skills-based learning across Europe.
Looking Ahead
As the project enters its final implementation phase, the consortium remains focused on delivering high-quality educational resources, completing the pilot activities, and preparing for the International Skills Competition that will bring together Europe’s most talented Digital Twin learners.
The Heraklion meeting demonstrated once again the strength of the partnership and its shared commitment to equipping learners, educators, and industry with the knowledge and practical skills required for the future of smart manufacturing. With the training platform fully operational, national competitions successfully completed, and preparations for the international finals well underway, the Digital Twin project continues to make an important contribution to the digital transformation of vocational education across Europe.
