Abstract:

The rapid convergence of digital innovation and sustainability objectives is transforming the way homes are designed, produced and experienced, particularly within the furniture and living environment sectors. These changes are generating new educational demands, as professionals and organisations require updated competences to respond to smart home technologies, sustainable design practices and evolving user needs.

The FITT-NESS project (Fostering Innovation and the Twin Transition for Inclusive Environments and Smart Homes) addresses this challenge by strengthening education and training capacities within regional innovation ecosystems in Portugal, Spain, and Italy linked to furniture and home environments and building on each region’s Smart Specialisation Strategies.

This paper presents the design, pedagogical rationale and anticipates some of the early outcomes of the FITT-NESS Train-the-Trainer (TtT) Programme, developed to support trainers and innovation intermediaries involved in adult and professional education.

The programme aims to enhance the ability of trainers to deliver high-quality, sector-specific learning experiences that connect digital transformation and sustainability with the practical realities of furniture production and smart living solutions. Its development was grounded in interregional collaboration across European regions, through the careful analysis of regional challenges, needs and main assets, enabling the integration of diverse educational practices while pursuing practical skills development.

Adult education principles were central to the instructional design, with an emphasis on active learning, contextualisation and the applicability of knowledge to professional practice. The programme combines pedagogical training with thematic content addressing digital innovation in home-related industries, including the integration of emerging technologies into furniture design and manufacturing, alongside sustainability-oriented approaches such as circular economy strategies and eco-friendly design. Educational content also addresses talent development from an inclusive perspective, recognising the role of education in attracting, retaining and upskilling a diverse workforce within the furniture and housing value chains.

Initial implementation results indicate that the programme strengthens trainers’ confidence and preparedness to deliver complex, interdisciplinary content to adult learners. Participants reported enhanced ability to apply participatory teaching methods that support engagement and skills acquisition. They also assessed that the content is very or extremely relevant considering the needs of their regions. The Programme thus functions not only as a set of learning resources, but as a capacity-building instrument that reinforces the role of educators and intermediaries as catalysts of innovation within regional ecosystems.

The findings presented demonstrate the value of targeted initiatives in addressing systemic skills gaps associated with the twin transition. By combining sector-specific knowledge with robust adult education methodologies, the FITT-NESS Programme offers a replicable model for professional development aligned with European priorities on lifelong learning, digital competence and sustainable development. The contribution is relevant to education professionals and policymakers seeking effective strategies to support industrial transformation through education and training.

Keywords:

Training programme, Twin transition, eco-friendly, habitat.