Welcome to the third HUCO Labs newsletter! As the project reaches its midway point, we bring to you the latest news since our last update in October 2025.
In this newsletter you will find:
- updates from the technical table organised by CMQ MSI in December;
- insights from the latest transnational project meeting in Valencia, Spain;
- participation in the European Robotics Forum 2026;
- the latest deliverables from Work Package 2, including the Train the Trainer programme and collaborative models.
Technical table in Besançon
In December, HUCO Labs partners ITS Cuccovillo, CMQ MSI and DHBW met in Besançon, France, as part of the process of developing new curricula for technicians at EQF Levels 5 and 6.
The team reviewed the initial drafts of the curricula, aimed at training Higher Technicians in the field of product development and innovation, collaborating to refine and optimize the programs and ensure seamless integration across national frameworks. During the visit, participants toured the technological laboratories of SUPMICROTECH at the École nationale supérieure de mécanique et des microtechniques (ENSMM), which hosts the Campus des Métiers and will provide facilities for some HUCO Labs ecosystem activities.
HUCO Labs team meets in Valencia
In January, the consortium held its third transnational project meeting in Valencia, hosted by Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV).
Project partners reviewed overall project coordination and management activities and discussed the state of the art and upcoming milestones under Work Package 2 (see below). A dedicated workshop explored the design of the new EQF Level 5 programme, the HVET–University–Company cooperation model, and emerging needs for training the trainers.
The event also featured a round table with companies and stakeholders, providing valuable insights from industry and reinforcing the project’s strong link to labour market needs.
European Robotics Forum 2026
From 23-27 March, HUCO Labs was represented at the European Robotics Forum 2026 in Stavanger, Norway.
Project partner Comau presented a compelling vision for the future of industrial automation, delivering a keynote titled “Learning, upskilling and reskilling for new robotics and AI technologies”. The presentation addressed a critical question: are we automating humans, or humanizing production?
New deliverables published
In March, we published three new deliverables that complete the work of Work Package 2, led by Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW):
D2.2 Set of training modules on R&D and Innovation skills. Documents the design of the HUCO Labs training offer on research, development, and innovation skills for mid-level technical professionals at EQF Levels 5 and 6.
D2.3 Collaboration model between VET and business operator in the joint implementation of dual training research paths. Defines the collaboration model through which the HUCO Labs training pathways are jointly implemented across Higher Vocational Education and Training (HVET), higher education, and company-based innovation environments.
D2.4 Train the Trainer Programme. Defines the Train-the-Trainer Programme of the HUCO Labs project as the pedagogical implementation layer of the wider HUCO training architecture.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue developing this project!