Latest updates of VIOLET

VIOLET EU Project first major result is now in the spotlight.

Our first press release is now available, highlighting the publication of the State of the Art Report on XR Tools for I/EWE Training, the project's first major deliverable. The report maps the current landscape of Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality technologies for welding engineer training. It examines their connection with the I/EWE curriculum and identifies the gaps, barriers and opportunities that will guide VIOLET's next steps.

One finding stands out: while XR tools are already available for welder and operator training, solutions designed specifically for the engineering and coordination responsibilities of I/EWE professionals remain limited. Discover why this report provides an important foundation for the digital learning resources and XR training scenarios that VIOLET EU Project will develop.

Read VIOLET's first press release and discover how this milestone is shaping the project's next steps.

Can Extended Reality transform the way we teach complex welding engineering skills across Europe?

This week, the VIOLET EU Project consortium came together in Seville for our 2nd Transnational Project Meeting (2TPM), held on 22–23 September and hosted by our project partner ATS / Seabery. After nine months of foundational research and state-of-the-art analysis, we are now moving into a crucial phase of the project: Work Package 3 (WP3) – the core digital development phase.

Our meeting in Seville was an important step in translating the knowledge and findings from the first months of the project into concrete learning solutions:
  • Selecting the Competence Units (CUs):
We identified the specific Competence Units from the updated International/European Welding Engineer (I/EWE) curriculum that will provide the foundation for our e-learning materials and theoretical assessment databases.
  • Planning the next six months:
We established a clear roadmap for the months ahead, focusing on content development, instructional design and the preparation of the framework for future Train-the-Trainer activities.

The next phase will be about bringing together welding expertise, digital learning and Extended Reality to explore new ways of developing complex technical skills for welding professionals across Europe. A big thank you to ATS / Seabery for hosting us in Seville and to all VIOLET EU Project partners for the productive collaboration and commitment to taking this work forward.

The next chapter of VIOLET EU Project starts now!

The VIOLET EU Project has published its State-of-the-Art Report on XR Tools for I/EWE Training, presenting a comprehensive assessment of the potential of Extended Reality (XR) technologies to enhance the training of International/European Welding Engineers.

The report examines the current landscape of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in engineering education, highlighting the benefits of immersive and blended learning approaches while identifying key challenges, including the limited availability of engineering-specific XR content, investment requirements and the need to strengthen trainers' digital competences.

By providing a detailed market analysis and practical recommendations, the report contributes to the development of more innovative, effective and future-oriented welding engineering education.

The full report is now available for download.

Already in Salzburg! At the booth today. On the Members Meeting agenda tomorrow. VIOLET EU Project is making its first appearance at the 79th International Institute of Welding Annual Assembly 2026!

Throughout the event, visitors can discover the project at the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF) booth and learn more about its approach to digital and XR-supported welding education.

The project will then take the spotlight during the IIW Members Meeting, where the presentation will offer a first look at VIOLET EU Project planned work on e-learning, XR-based practical training and pilot activities.

A first opportunity to bring VIOLET into the international welding education community - and to start sharing what comes next.

The VIOLET EU Project is now underway, and we are inviting welding engineers and professionals from the manufacturing sector to actively contribute to an important step forward in welding education.

Our ambition is to modernise the International/European Welding Engineer (I/EWE) qualification by integrating Virtual and Augmented Reality (XR) into training, making it more flexible, practical, and better aligned with today’s industry demands.

We are currently gathering insights directly from the field. The feedback collected will help define future learning priorities and support the digital evolution of welding education across Europe.

• The surveys will remain open throughout May: Engineer Survey and Industry Survey.

On the 10th, we held the first in-person meeting of the VIOLET EU Project in Gliwice, Poland, bringing together all partners to launch a new journey of collaboration and innovation. We were very well received by the coordinator, Łukasiewicz - GIT, who created the ideal environment for a productive and inspiring start.

This first meeting was essential to get to know each other better, align expectations, define action plans, and establish the strategies that will guide our work over the next three years. The VIOLET project begins with energy, commitment, and a shared vision: to work together to generate real and sustainable impact in our sector.

This is just the first step in a journey that promises strong collaboration, knowledge sharing, and transformative results. We are ready for the challenge!