ICT is embedded and pervasive into our daily lives. The notion of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) has emerged: embedded computational collaborating devices, capable of controlling physical elements and responding to humans. The Cross-layer modEl-based fRamework for multi-oBjective dEsign of Reconfigurable systems in unceRtain hybRid envirOnments (CERBERO) project aims at developing a design environment for CPS based of two pillars: a cross-layer model based approach to describe, optimize, and analyze the system and all its different views concurrently; an advanced adaptivity support based on a multi-layer autonomous engine. To overcome the limit of current tools, CERBERO provides: libraries of generic Key Performance Indicators for reconfigurable CPSs in hybrid/uncertain environments; novel formal and simulation-based methods; a continuous design environment guaranteeing early-stage analysis and optimization of functional and non-functional requirements, including energy, reliability and security. CERBERO effectiveness will be assessed in challenging and diverse scenarios, brought by industrial leaders: an embedded CPS with self-healing capabilities for planetary explorations (TASE-S&T), an ocean monitoring CPSoS (AS), and a Smart Travelling CPSoS for Electric Vehicle (TNO-CRF-S&T). CERBERO will automate multi-objective decisions to meet requirements and correct/optimized–by–construction designs. Interoperable components (i.e. DynAA by TNO, AOW by IBM, PREESM by INSA, PAPI-ARTICo3 by UPM, MDC by UniCA-UniSS) will be enhanced with additional features (as security, USI), mostly released as open-source to foster open innovation and a real path to standardisation, and integrated (IBM- AI) into a unique framework. Design speed up (one order of magnitude), increased performance (30% less energy) and reduced costs of deployment (by rapid prototyping and system in the loop incremental design) and maintenance (by runtime verification and adaptivity) of CPSoS are expected.

This project will harmonise employability programmes in environment and biodiversity conservation management across 3 European countries, making these critical skills and associated career guidance relevant in a European context. The core of the project will be a European employability guidance learning package generated from experience and best practice from both Higher Education Institutes and NGO employers in the sector and tailored to the needs of both students gaining HEI degrees in environment and biodiversity conservation sciences and their career advisers.The project will share existing HEI good practice in career guidance across career advisors, identifying current employer knowledge and skills needs from practitioners in the world of work in environment and biodiversity management. The outcome will be high quality, robust and relevant employability guidance for students in this sector.The project will produce, test, evaluate and re-test an OER environment and biodiversity employability guidance learning package for HEI students that will facilitate progression towards a validation pathway in line with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System.Project results will be 1) a tailor-made employability learning package in line with the needs of students on environment and biodiversity management HE courses. 2) a training material produced specifically for HEI career advisers to support the continuous professional development of these experts to increase awareness of the current employment needs of the environment and biodiversity management sector. 3) An open access website where project outputs will be published as open educational resources.The project will increase awareness of the current employment needs of the environment and biodiversity management sector to HEI career guidance professionals and produce learning materials that foster entrepreneurial and innovative thinking and facilitate students' access to the European labour market in this environment and biodiversity management.

The WildSkills EU project will address the skills gap identified by employers responsible for biodiversity monitoring & climate change mitigation. Here there is a mismatch between employer needs for early career staff to possess both ‘practical wildlife survey and identification’ and ‘communication and stakeholder engagement’ skills and the absence of this training from Higher Education pathways. This project is a collaboration linking practitioners from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), teachers from Higher Education and students seeking employment. These 3 groups will co-create and test innovative and accessible distance learning packages to address these skills gaps using a virtual learning environment that combines the use of physical equipment with online webinars and livestream technologies, delivering quality assured, endorse accreditation. The project will train staff and student teachers/trainers in delivering this unique model, test it on virtual mobilities and share the good practice established as a result.The objectives of the project are:1.To co-create, develop and test 6 distance learning modules addressing employer skills gaps in ecology with key elements translated into native languages 2.To test and re-test a new digital pedagogy of distance learning skills delivery and assessment leading to employer and HE recognition on 60 virtual mobilities3.To train 8 staff & 36 student trainers in new digital learning and assessment pedagogy 4.To establish a platform for sharing pedagogy best practice with practitioners Project target audiences are: staff and student teacher/trainers (to learn the pedagogy) and current or recent students who want the ecological and transversal skills to help them gain employment.The project will facilitate staff/students co-creation of both the learning content and distance delivery of 6 learning modules that address practical skills gaps in ecology, communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Module 1: Nature Conservation in Action (overview): Ambios Portugal, PTModule 2: Wildlife surveys using camera trap: Ambios UKModule 3: Bird identification and survey: UoEvora, PortugalModule 4: Tree identification and survey UoPadova, ItalyModule 5: Communication skills Barn Owl Foundation, HungaryModule 6: Stakeholder Engagement WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Hungary Numerical indicators are the following:Learning package for students: 6Intensive Study Programme for Students: 1Joint Staff Training programmes: 1Intensive Study Programme for Students: 1Number of physical mobility for staff: 20Number of physical mobility students recruited for the project: 36Number of virtual mobility students recruited for the project: 60Project website: 1Project Virtual Learning Environment: 1Multiplier Events: 7Multiplier Events: 0 –> 234 participantsDissemination presentations (one at each university): 3Dissemination publications (two in each countries): 8A key result will be the recognition of learner acquired skills. Quality assured credit will be awarded using the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) and European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) systems. This will mean that the learner will be able to accurately describe the value of their learning by using e-badge meta data that will include reference to these systems and details of where, when, who was involved, learning outcomes achieved and, crucially an endorsement of the training from employers. An e-badge is a logo graphic with a hyperlink to a webpage or file which contains meta data on the achievements of the learner. It goes beyond a traditional certificate of achievement by including details such as dates and durations of learning, learning outcomes achieved, practical activities undertaken, trainers/teaching involved and any formal recognition, endorsement from employers and links to HE micro-credentials. It can also include further links to Europass and Europass Certificate supplements. Our active intension is that external employers will add their endorsements by the end of the project and that training program will be formally accredited within the teaching of the Universities of Padova and Evora.