The European Commission has awarded the European Innovative Teaching Award 2023 (#EITA) to Fundación Laboral for its track record in the field of innovation and internationalization of education in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET) through the international projects carried out within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme.  

This recognition highlights the organization's outstanding practices within the programmeand emphasizes its work in European cooperation in the field of Vocational Education and Training. 

In connection with the European Year of Skills #EYS2023, the Commission has selected 'Education and Innovation' as the thematic focus to award this prize to those institutions that have played an outstanding role in this field within the Erasmus+ programme. The introduction of existing and emerging technologies in educational systems, such as the use of artificial intelligence, robotics, coding, programming or, in the case of the Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, the application of virtual reality. 

VROAD' highlighted for its digitizing work 

Through the 'VROAD' project, from the 2018 Erasmus+ call (2018-1-ES01-KA202-050294), the Foundation has been recognized for addressing digital transformation and innovation in VET through the development of a virtual reality application that simulates different scenarios of roadworks, offering students a safe and innovative learning environment. This result complements the training contents of the roadworks itineraries, a fundamental activity of the construction sector to extend the life of transport infrastructures, which benefits the territorial cohesion of the European Union and job creation. 

The 'VROAD' training system has allowed the use of the experiential aspect to facilitate learning and increase the motivation of teachers and students by orienting them towards training and lifelong learning, thanks to their participation in serious games. 

To develop this system, it has been essential to have the support and financial backing of the Erasmus+ programme, which has given the Foundation the opportunity to work with partners from Italy, Portugal and France, experts in the field of sectorial training and to share experience with a Spanish entity specialized in e-learning that has technologically developed this tool. 

As a result of this project, in which the practical training of students has been improved in a pioneering way, the entity has begun to implement other immersive virtual experiences. Specifically, a virtual reality machinery simulation system has been started up, which includes five training modules that teach the handling of: telescopic crane, overhead crane, truck crane, lifting platform and backhoe loader. 

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.