In this paper we show a platform which allows for education and training of a number of essential embedded skills. The Java optimized processor (JOP) is open source and has been used in several educational and training sessions and we cover how each setting has trained a special skill set. The experience covers basics from undergraduate education to Ph.D. level education. At each level different properties of the system are emphasized. Our emphasis on the interdisciplinary of embedded systems education is based on referenced research findings. This way we provide empirical findings and couple it with academic frameworks.