Research report

Alexios Papacharalampopoulos and Steven Dhondt

BRIDGES 5.0 has pioneered Teaching Factory 5.0 (TF5.0) — a new, experience-driven training model that connects industry and education in real time. Pilots have proven its value in accelerating skills acquisition and fostering innovation transfer. The concept has proven scalable at the organisation level. Now it needs further testing for large-scale deployment. This Policy Brief places the results of research among a set of Teaching Factories 5.0 in the picture (Papacharalampopoulos et al., 2025).

The recommendations are focused on the scale up of such an intervention in the workplace. Three priorities stand out:

• Remove bottlenecks – Address the shortage of qualified trainers through train-thetrainer schemes and regional capacity building; develop standardised templates for implementation, delivery, and evaluation.
• Boost visibility and uptake – Engage companies, social partners, and policymakers in structured partnerships for joint curriculum development; establish ROI measurement frameworks linking TF5.0 outcomes to economic and innovation impact.
• Secure policy and financial support – Create an EU TF5.0 Transformation Fund, leveraging Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, ESF+, and EIB resources to drive adoption.

The TF5.0 provides companies with an organisational innovation that helps improve company practices in many ways. Companies become ‘greener’, less dependent on international developments, and more focused on the quality of its workforce. Future development should integrate gamification, simulation, and personalised learning pathways. In the longer term, EU-wide accreditation could guarantee quality and consistency, linked to modular micro-credentials and interoperable certifications in line with European qualification frameworks.

TF5.0 is a ready-to-grow instrument for helping companies navigate the digital transition. With targeted investment and policy backing, it can become a cornerstone of Europe’s skills and innovation strategy.