How can vocational education help businesses use resources more efficiently and prepare for more sustainable production? CIRCULAR-READY, a 36-month Erasmus+ project, will strengthen vocational education and training (VET) in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina to support the transition towards a circular economy.
Officially titled Building VET Capacity for Circular Industry and ESPR Readiness in Latin America, the project is coordinated by Technische Universität Berlin. It brings together education providers, businesses and public stakeholders to develop practical training and strengthen the institutions delivering it.
Connecting vocational education with industry needs
CIRCULAR-READY starts from a practical need: training providers require strong partnerships, relevant curricula and effective quality assurance to respond to changes in industry.
The project will establish four national alliances connecting VET providers, small and medium-sized enterprises, sector organisations and public stakeholders. These partnerships will help identify skills needs and shape training that reflects local priorities and workplace challenges.
Practical skills for the circular transition
Training will address circular design, resource efficiency, product information, traceability and sustainability documentation, alongside relevant digital and data skills. It will also support readiness for the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
Planned activities and resources include:
A Circular Industry and ESPR Skills Framework to guide training development.
A curriculum and trainer toolkit with at least eight modular training units, supported by practical guides, open educational resources and demonstration cases.
Training for at least 80 VET managers, teachers and trainers.
Eight national workshops, connecting training providers and industry stakeholders across the four countries.
Piloting in four VET institutions to test the approach and guide improvements.
Skillman’s contribution
Skillman will lead curriculum and training resource development together with IUDPT in Argentina. Its contribution will include shaping the learning framework, developing modular training materials and preparing open educational resources that providers can adapt to their own programmes.
This work will draw on Skillman’s experience in vocational education, SME-oriented training and cooperation through the Skillman network.
Supporting lasting change
Beyond individual training activities, CIRCULAR-READY aims to strengthen how VET institutions cooperate with employers, update their programmes and manage quality and innovation.
By testing an adaptable model across four countries, the project will support vocational education that responds to changing labour-market needs and advances responsible production through skills that serve people and the planet.
Programme: Erasmus+ — Capacity Building in Vocational Education and Training, Latin America
Duration: 36 months
Project reference: 101337049 — ERASMUS-EDU-2026-CB-VET-LA
