CETEM is a non-profit scientific research and training organisation located in the south east of Spain. CETEM was created due to an initiative by private companies from the furniture and woodworking sectors of the Region of Murcia, and established in 1995 with the initial support of the regional government, the Spanish Ministry of Industry and the European Union.
CETEM is formed by 35 professionals with different backgrounds: engineering, technology transfer, business administration, chemistry, psychology, teaching, design, etc. The scope of experience actively contributes towards the socio-economic development of companies by providing support and promoting processes of technology, innovation and development, such as strategies of competitiveness in the business environment and training programmes.
CETEM works in different areas of expertise:(1) Product Engineering,(2) Materials Science,(3) Electronics&Domotics, (4) Processes technology, (5) Industrial and Organisational Psychology and (6) VET training.
Since its creation, CETEM has been continuously involved in training activities that target people in traditional sectors by tailoring VET actions to their needs. CETEM’s missions is oriented to improve, favor and foster the continuous improvement and competitiveness of the different industries. In addition, all the initiatives that CETEM starts, besides having an industrial interest, are born for solving a social need, environmental, safety, facing unemployment and the improvement of life quality of people at risk of exclusion.
In addition, in recent years, CETEM has organized numerous conferences and courses with the aim of modernizing and updating its associated partners as well as other interested parties, in different fields such as Industry 4.0 (3D printing) or in advanced materials (biopolymers, nanotechnology, etc.).
As Vocational, Education and Training Centre, besides managing more than 30 VET programs per year, covering a wide range of areas from technology transfer, IPR rights, Eco-design, 3D printing and Augmented Reality; CETEM arranges every year an edition of the Master Degree in Design and Business Management for the Furniture, Upholstery and Wood Sector, which is currently adapted to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Throughout the 14 editions of the Master, a total of 220 students have completed the master degree and 80% have been incorporated into the labor market.
In terms of VET programs, any initiative that CETEM addresss is weighed for the European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) with the aim of promoting the recognition and the mobility in Vocational Education and Training. Also, depending of the kind of qualification profiles of the target groups of each initiative, the different qualification profiles will be placed within the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) including knowledge, skills and competences.
Besides, CETEM departments actively collaborate with Higher Education institutions in R&D, VET and HE initiatives and participate in workshops, presentations and are frequently part of dissertation committees of PhD. Thesis of different subjects: Industrial Management, Environmental, Materials, Electronics and Robotics.
Both Face to Face and Online VET programs that CETEM offers are managed through the learning platform Elernia, where learners can check all the training catalogue and even participate in online courses.
In order to assure the quality of any initiatives that CETEM is involved, either as coordinator or participant, they are being managed according to a Research, Development and Innovation Management System which is certificated according to UNE 166002 R&D&i Management: R&D&i Management System Requirements. In order to manage all project issues, (coordination, deviations, communications, IPR, Internal/External meetings etc).
CETEM also has established internal procedures in which every financial issue is stated in order to ensure the correct development of any action at financial level. Furthermore, CETEM is recognized as Technological Innovation Centre (CIT Nº 83) and as Technology Transfer Office (TTO Nº 165).
Finally, it is necessary to highlight that CETEM is present in several European projects in the last years as coordinator or as important partner who help coordinator in their tasks. For that, CETEM has developed an important European network and remarkable background in this kind of projects.
