MACITE is an EU funded project implemented from 2022 to 2025. Its aim is three-fold: To fill the skills gap of technicians and engineers designing, developing, and operating Smart Cities infrastructures and services. To upgrade the accessibility of Smart Cities professionals to high quality training materials by adjusting proper educational tools and developing profession-specific learning resources. To unify the appropriate learning outcomes of Smart Cities technicians and engineers and thus improve their mobility throughout EU countries. The specific project objectives are the following: Curriculum Design: A multi-disciplinary, learning outcomes-focused curriculum for Smart Cities will be meticulously designed. This curriculum will cater to various domains, producing well-rounded professionals equipped to meet Smart City challenges. Learning Resources Creation: The project involves the creation of comprehensive learning resources that complement the curriculum, enhancing the overall learning experience. Diagnostic Tool and Personalized Pathways: A diagnostic tool will be developed to assess the training needs of Smart Cities technicians and engineers. Subsequently, personalized and flexible learning pathways will be proposed to address identified gaps. MOOC Development: A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will be developed to facilitate upskilling and reskilling in key Smart Cities technologies like the Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, and Big Data. Virtual Worlds Platform: A platform set in virtual environments will be established to provide training in soft, entrepreneurial, and green skills, contributing to well-rounded professional development. Certification Design: Tools for certifying competences will be thoughtfully designed, ensuring a standardized method to verify skill attainment. Pilot and Evaluation: The curriculum will undergo a pilot phase involving Smart Cities technicians and engineers from Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, and Spain. This real-world testing will inform refinements based on practical experiences. Impact Measurement: Rigorous assessment techniques will be applied to gauge the impact of the curriculum, providing valuable insights into its effectiveness and areas for improvement. Dissemination to Target Audience: The project outcomes will be disseminated to a targeted audience, encompassing stakeholders, practitioners, and the academic community. Exploitation and Sustainability: Measures will be taken to ensure the project’s outcomes are effectively integrated and sustained within the Smart Cities landscape. Intervention Focus: The project’s intervention focuses on addressing challenges in Smart Cities, including economic, environmental, and social aspects. It targets Smart Cities technicians and engineers, aiming to bridge technical and non-technical skills gaps through continuous knowledge enhancement. In summary, this comprehensive initiative is poised to equip Smart Cities professionals with the diverse skill set required to effectively address multifaceted challenges and contribute to the sustainable development of Smart Cities. The Main outcomes/results from the implementation of the practice are: Design the Smart Cities multi-disciplinary and learning outcomes-oriented curriculum. Design a diagnostic tool to identify the training needs of Smart Cities technicians and engineers. Develop a MOOC for the upskilling/reskilling at Smart Cities enabling technologies (e.g. Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Big Data). Develop a Virtual Worlds platform for the upskilling/reskilling at soft, entrepreneurial and green skills. Design certification tools to verify the competences. Pilot the curriculum with Smart Cities technicians and engineers from Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, and Spain and evaluate the experience.
