On 22 May 2026, MIND Park in Kragujevac hosted the practical part of the National Competition of Mechanical Engineering Schools of Serbia, bringing together 47 vocational students from across Serbia competing in MAG, REL and TIG welding.
The competition provided an excellent opportunity to connect young welders, teachers, mentors, companies and professional experts in a real industrial environment. Students demonstrated their practical welding skills, while experts from the Serbian Welding Society (DUZS) evaluated the practical samples.
As part of the event, a WELDNET–WELDIFY Joint Ecosystem Session was organised, bringing together more than 50 participants from vocational schools, companies, public institutions, professional organisations and regional development organisations. Driven by core Serbian WELDNET ecosystem stakeholders including MIND Park, the Regional Economic Development Agency for Šumadija and Pomoravlje (REDASP), the Secondary Vocational School of Kragujevac (SSSKG), and Helix, the session provided an opportunity to discuss closer cooperation between VET and industry, work-based learning, future skills and the role of teachers, trainers and company mentors. Participants also learned more about the upcoming WELDNET Train-the-Trainer activities, future training opportunities and ways to stay involved in the project. Representatives from the Serbian Government’s Office for Dual Education and the National Qualifications Framework also joined the dialogue, contributing valuable perspectives on aligning vocational education programs with current labor market demands and refining qualification frameworks.
By bringing together education, industry and institutional stakeholders in one setting, the event strengthened the Serbian WELDNET ecosystem and created a basis for further cooperation, training and capacity-building activities.
