VESTA – project results
The VESTA project envisages a number of concrete results to be achieved during its lifetime. The most important are:
☑ VESTA application:
an advanced software tool that uses artificial intelligence to analyse SMEs’ training needs and diagnose competence gaps. The application will be co-designed with end users and tested by 60 sales specialists from 4 EU countries to ensure it meets real business needs. It will enable companies to identify areas requiring skills development and will generate recommendations for training actions. Its interface and functionalities will be refined on the basis of feedback from the testing phase.
☑ Open Educational Resources (OER):
a rich package of learning materials produced within the project, including micro-learning modules, short video tutorials and interactive decision-making scenarios. These resources will be available online and integrated with the VESTA application, creating a coherent training ecosystem. Their topics will cover, among others, analysis of market trends in sales, operation and potential of the VESTA application, and case studies presenting the diagnosis of training needs. All materials will be offered on an open-access basis and will remain available for at least five years after the project ends, ensuring a long-term impact on the VET community and SMEs.
☑ Pilot tests and validation:
during the project a cycle of validation activities will be carried out, including workshops and user tests in each partner country. In total at least 60 people from the target groups (SME employees and representatives of training institutions) will take part in a practical trial of the application and OER. These tests will collect valuable data on tool functionality, effectiveness of learning materials and user acceptance. The findings will be used to improve the project’s products. Test reports will be drawn up, detailing identified issues and proposed enhancements. This approach will ensure that the VESTA’s final results are battle-tested and ready for wider deployment.
☑ International training (mobility):
one result is the organisation of a five-day international training course on the use of AI in sales management. It will involve 15 VET staff members and SME specialists (e.g. trainers and sales managers) from consortium countries, with an additional 15 participants joining remotely. This mobility will provide hands-on training in using the VESTA application and implementing the developed methods in their organisations. Participants will be able to exchange experiences across countries, strengthening the project’s transnational dimension. The training will be held in Italy (supported by Conform and Meditech) and will serve as the seed for a cooperation network – the trained individuals will become ambassadors of VESTA solutions in their environments.
☑ Cooperation network and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):
the project will establish a stable, open cooperation network bringing together various stakeholders: VET institutions, sector organisations, enterprises, educational and technological experts. Partners will sign a Memorandum of Understanding that will formalise this network and ensure continued collaboration after EU funding ends. The VESTA network will facilitate knowledge exchange, dissemination and further development of project results. Thanks to it, the tools and methods developed in VESTA will be consolidated and expanded – additional institutions will be able to join, implement the application and OER, and contribute their own improvements. The network will also become a platform for dialogue between education and business in the field of sales competences, helping to systematically reduce the skills gap in the future.
☑ Dissemination events and final conference:
the project foresees a series of information and promotional events, including at least nine dissemination events at local, regional and international levels. The culmination of the project will be a final conference in Cyprus (organised by Lovila) with the participation of all partners and invited guests – representatives of the VET sector, business and decision-makers. A minimum of 50 participants is expected, enabling a broad presentation of project results and discussion of implementation opportunities. Throughout the project, partners will also take part in various sector events (education fairs, seminars, network meetings) to promote the VESTA concept and build contacts for the cooperation network.
