Education Conference on Work-Based Learning

Knights College hosted the final conference of the Erasmus+ WBL Champion project on 28 May 2026, bringing together educators, policymakers, employers and international partners to explore the future of Work-Based Learning (WBL) in higher education. The conference presented the joint work of the European consortium comprising VITECO (Italy), INOVA+ (Portugal), Knights College (Malta) and Technological University Dublin (Ireland).

The event showcased the outcomes of the WBL Champion initiative, a European collaboration designed to strengthen the connection between education and industry. The project developed a comprehensive European Work-Based Learning framework, together with quality assurance tools, digital resources and specialised training programmes aimed at improving supervision, employer engagement and measurable learning outcomes.

The conference provided a platform for dialogue, exchange and forward-looking policy discussion, examining how education systems can better prepare learners for the evolving demands of the labour market. Through keynote interventions, panel discussions and project showcases, participants explored topics such as skills development, digital education, industry partnerships and practical models for embedding work-based learning within higher education.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage with senior decision-makers, higher education leaders, industry representatives and European project partners, while gaining insight into innovative approaches that can strengthen employability and create more effective pathways between learning and work.

The event concluded with a networking session, allowing participants to connect with stakeholders from across the education and industry ecosystem and to explore opportunities for future cooperation.