After 30 months of collaboration across Europe, the PERSONA project has successfully delivered an innovative learning ecosystem that combines human expertise with artificial intelligence to modernise vocational education and training (VET) in agriculture. Implemented in Cyprus by CARDET, the project has helped lay the foundations for a more personalised, flexible and future-ready approach to agricultural skills development.
PERSONA (Development of a Hybrid Human-AI Personalised Learning Path for VET for Innovation in Agriculture) brought together partners from eight European countries between 2024 and 2026 to address the growing demand for new skills in an agricultural sector undergoing rapid digital and green transformation.
With more than 9.7 million people employed in agriculture across the European Union, continuous upskilling has become essential. Advances in artificial intelligence, precision farming, automation and digital technologies are reshaping workforce requirements, creating an urgent need for innovative learning models that respond to individual learners’ needs while supporting the broader Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS).
To address these challenges, PERSONA developed a hybrid Human-AI personalised learning ecosystem designed to strengthen vocational education and training for agricultural professionals, learners, educators and institutions. The project also supports policymakers and AKIS stakeholders by promoting collaboration and the adoption of innovative learning practices across Europe.
Throughout its implementation, the consortium achieved several significant milestones. These include a comprehensive analysis of the European microcredentials landscape for Agricultural TVET, the development of a Joint European Microcredentials Programme, the establishment of a European Register for Agricultural Microcredentials, and the creation of a Common Microcredentials System for Agricultural TVET. In addition, the project designed and validated the PERSONA Hybrid AI System and an accompanying Learning Management System that enables personalised learning pathways tailored to learners’ knowledge, experience and professional goals.
The project also successfully piloted its solutions through work-based learning activities, ensuring that the developed tools meet the real needs of the agricultural sector while supporting their long-term sustainability and wider adoption.
PERSONA contributes directly to key European priorities, including the European Skills Agenda, the European Education Area, the promotion of Microcredentials, the Green and Digital Transition, and Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education.
In Cyprus, CARDET played an active role in implementing the project, contributing its expertise in digital education, innovation and vocational learning while supporting the development, validation and dissemination of the project’s outcomes.
The PERSONA consortium consisted of ten organisations from Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Cyprus, Belgium, Czech Republic and Germany, coordinated by Biotehniški Center Naklo. Partners included CESAR, University of Perugia, University College Dublin, ON Projects, COAG, European Vocational Training Association (EVTA), CARDET, Institut INPRO and ASZ ČR.
To learn more about the project and explore its results, visit https://personaproject.eu
Website
https://personaproject.eu/Target Groups
Students, Academics, Researchers, Professionals, Youth, Adults, VET professionals, Adult educators, Public bodies, General publicEducation Level
Higher education, VET, Adult education, Professional education
