TRAILS Partners Gather in Thessaloniki for Third Plenary Meeting

14/04/2025

Partners of the TRAILS project came together in Thessaloniki for the third in-person plenary meeting, hosted by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). Over two days of collaboration and strategic dialogue, the consortium took stock of achievements to date, reviewed each project progress and mapped out the next phase of the project.

This gathering marked a key moment for TRAILS, with multiple deliverables recently submitted and others approaching critical deadlines. The meeting served as a valuable platform for academic institutions, research centres, regional actors, and technical experts to align on progress and strengthen their collective efforts. Together, they continue advancing TRAILS’ core mission: leveraging artificial intelligence and big data to transform how labour markets and skills are analysed, matched, and supported.

The agenda kicked off on 7 April with a warm welcome from the hosts at AUTH, followed by an overview of the meeting’s objectives. The spotlight quickly turned to project management matters, including updates on milestone achievements and preparations for the upcoming 1st Periodic Report.

Throughout the day, partners presented and discussed progress across several key WPs:

• Data Management and Survey Design (WP2)
• Changing Technology, Skills Mismatch, and On-the-Job Training (WP3)
• Machine Learning and AI for Skills Matching (WP4)

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to New Skills, Skills Bundling, and Labour Market Mobility (WP5). ESRI provided an update on Deliverable 5.1, with AUTH leading the planning for future actions. Dissemination and outreach activities (WP6) were also addressed, including preparations for a major Academic Workshop, to be organised in 2026 in Brussels.

A major milestone of the day was the unveiling of the first draft of the TRAILS platform (WP7), offering partners a first look at how the various strands of research will integrate into a single, dynamic tool to support policymakers and stakeholders.

The second day, 8 April, was dedicated to shaping the future of TRAILS. Partners held a strategic discussion on long-term collaboration pathways and explored ideas for future research and funding opportunities beyond the current project lifecycle. A dedicated brainstorming session opened the floor to new synergies, interdisciplinary approaches, and strategies to ensure the sustainability and impact of the TRAILS platform.

As the meeting concluded, the consortium reaffirmed its commitment to delivering innovative, data-driven solutions for inclusive and adaptive labour market policies. With key deliverables on the horizon and new collaborations emerging, TRAILS is entering a decisive and promising phase.