ETI Labs project officially launched: An innovative step towards bridging higher education & the labour market
The Erasmus Talent & Innovation Labs (ETI Labs) project has officially started on January 2025, bringing together leading European organisations to bridge the gap between higher education and the labor market. Led by Erasmus Student Network (ESN), this ambitious initiative aims to enhance student employability, foster university-business cooperation, and develop innovative learning methodologies.
With skill mismatches and employability challenges becoming critical concerns in Europe, ETI Labs will develop concrete solutions to ensure students and recent graduates gain the competencies, experience, and professional networks needed to thrive in today’s evolving job market.
With skill mismatches and employability challenges becoming critical concerns in Europe, ETI Labs will develop concrete solutions to ensure students and recent graduates gain the competencies, experience, and professional networks needed to thrive in today’s evolving job market.
A strong European partnership
The project, led by the Erasmus Student Network, unites six key partners from across Europe:
- EURASHE: European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (Belgium)
- AER: Assembly of European Regions (Belgium)
- ESSCA Management School: École Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales d'Angers (France)
- HVL: Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Norway)
- MCI: Management Center Innsbruck (Austria)
- ALGEBRA University (Croatia)
What’s next?
ETI Labs is rolling out in structured phases, each bringing higher education and the job market closer together.
The first phase lays the foundation with research and stakeholder engagement, analyzing University-Business Cooperation (UBC) models and identifying skill gaps. Through focus groups with companies, students, and regional authorities, the project will ensure that its framework is aligned with real-world needs.
Next, the project moves into action. ETI Labs will launch Talent & Innovation Labs across partner universities, providing hands-on learning experiences in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. At the same time, the Erasmus Generation Portal’s Entrepreneurial Hub will go live, offering digital resources and networking opportunities. A pilot traineeship program will also be introduced, connecting recent graduates with structured entry-level opportunities.
As the project progresses, the focus will shift to evaluation and advocacy. Best practices and impact assessments will help refine the Labs and traineeship model, while advocacy efforts will promote stronger University-Business Cooperation. The most promising student projects will be showcased at the Entrepreneurial Hub at the Erasmus Generation Meeting, bringing together students, employers, and policymakers.
Finally, ETI Labs will deliver policy recommendations and host a high-level stakeholder event to ensure its impact extends beyond the project’s duration. By shaping sustainable, skill-driven education-to-work pathways, ETI Labs is creating lasting change in how students prepare for their careers.
A systemic approach to long-term impact
ETI Labs goes beyond short-term initiatives, aiming to create a sustainable framework for education-to-work transitions that can be adopted across European universities and industries. The project’s impact will extend beyond students, influencing higher education policies, employer engagement strategies, and regional development initiatives.
With strong backing from the Erasmus+ Programme, ETI Labs will serve as a pilot for new models of University-Business Cooperation, testing innovative educational methodologies, traineeship structures, and skill development programs. By integrating digital, entrepreneurial, and sustainability-focused competencies into higher education curricula, the project ensures that graduates are better equipped for the challenges of the modern job market.
Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to engage with ETI Labs.
- Date: 24 Mar 2025