INSPIRE: Professionals of the Future 2026 & European Final Conference
On 20 October 2026, the INSPIRE Project will participate in the 3rd
edition of Professionals of the Future (POTF), organised by the European
Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF) in Lisbon, Portugal. The
event will bring together representatives from industry, vocational education and
training (VET), research organisations, and policymakers to discuss the future of
manufacturing under the theme "Human-centric (Re)manufacturing in the Era of
AI".
As a European initiative focused on the modernisation of European Welding
Inspector (EWI) training, INSPIRE contributes to this discussion by
promoting innovative approaches to skills development, digital transformation, and
workforce preparedness for emerging industrial challenges.
During the event, participants will have the
opportunity to:
🔹Explore innovative digital learning solutions for welding inspection and
vocational training;
🔹Learn about the modularisation of the European Welding Inspector
qualification and its benefits for learners and industry;
🔹Discover how Augmented Reality (AR) can support practical training and
improve learning outcomes;
🔹Exchange experiences with European experts, educators, and industry
representatives;
🔹Discuss the future skills required for industrial transformation in an
increasingly digital and sustainable economy.
INSPIRE's Contribution to the Future of Welding
Education:
The project aims to strengthen vocational education and training by introducing
flexible learning pathways, AR-based training materials, and updated
competence frameworks aligned with emerging industrial needs, particularly in the
field of hydrogen pipeline inspection. Through these developments, INSPIRE
supports both the green transition and the digital transformation of
the European manufacturing sector.
The event's roundtables on Digital Tools for Training, Remanufacturing &
Industrial Transformation, and Human Centricity & Professional Growth
are closely aligned with INSPIRE's objectives of equipping professionals with the
skills needed to thrive in the industries of the future.
European Final Conference:
October 2026 will also mark a major milestone for the project with the organisation
of the INSPIRE European Final Conference, hosted by EWF in Portugal.
This high-level event will bring together European stakeholders to present the
project's results and discuss their future integration within the European Welding
Federation system.
The conference will focus on:
🔹Presenting the main outcomes and achievements of the INSPIRE project;
🔹Exploring the policy relevance of innovative welding inspection
training;
🔹Supporting EU-level recognition of the developed training framework;
🔹Promoting the long-term sustainability and uptake of project results;
🔹Strengthening collaboration between education, industry, and certification
stakeholders.
Why This Matters:
INSPIRE is helping to prepare a new generation of welding inspectors by aligning
qualifications with emerging industrial requirements while enhancing accessibility,
flexibility, and digital readiness. The project demonstrates how advanced
educational methodologies can support a highly skilled workforce capable of
responding to Europe's evolving manufacturing and energy challenges.
Event Details:
🔹 Date: 20 October 2026
🔹 Location: Eurostars Lisboa, Parque das Nações, Lisbon, Portugal
🔹 Language: English
🔹 POTF3 Flyer: Event Flyer
🔹 Press Release: Get to Know More
🔹 Registration: Registration Link
The INSPIRE consortium looks forward to engaging with stakeholders from across
Europe and showcasing how innovation, digitalisation, and collaboration can help
shape the future of welding inspection training and professional development.
