Competence Centres

Competence Centres are research and development entities which bring together partners from the industry and the public research sphere to work together within individual economic sectors. The objective of such collaboration is to enhance employee competencies, improve employee and business performance, achieve competitive advantage of the companies and economic sectors in the market and boost the integration of Slovenian companies in such sector partnerships. Competence Centres support the development of competency models containing a number of competency profiles with a detailed set of competencies required to perform successfully in a particular job or job family relevant for each Competence Centre.   

As many as 19 industry-specific centres involving over 300 companies received EU support amounting to EUR 7.75 million in the previous programming period. Over 14,000 staff members participated in the activities funded by Competence Centres and recorded an impressive participation figure exceeding 45,000 participants. 17 Competence Centres for Human Resources Development involving 250 companies with over 35,800 staff members have received EU support equalling EUR 3.78 million in the current period.

What are the objectives of Competence Centres?
• spurring strategic human resources development, thereby improving the adaptability, employability and performance of employees;  
• raising awareness of employers and employees about the need for lifelong learning approach to training;
• enhancing and supporting integration, collaboration and networking in the corporate sector and encouraging sharing of good practices in the field of human resources development;
• strengthening competitiveness of and fostering innovation in Slovenian economy;
• developing and coordinating the roll-out of competency models;
• promoting different economic sectors and/or areas of application identified in Slovenian Smart Specialisation Strategy.

Which Competence Centres are there in Slovenia?

• Competence Centre for Sustainable Building Industry
• Competence Centre for Factories of the Future
• Competence Centre for Sustainable Tourism
• Competence Centre for Toolmaking
• Competence Centre for Chemical Industry – Smart Specialisation
• Competence Centre for Public Utility Sector 
• Competence Centre for Electrical Industry 
• Competence Centre for Circular Economy
• Competence Centre for Logistics
• Competence Centre for Smart Cities and Communities
• Competence Centre for Agro-food Industry
• Competence Centre for Biotechnology and Pharmacy
• Competence Centre for Ski Industry
• Competence Centre for Niche ICT Solutions - KoC Kontesa II
• Competence Centre for Metal Processing Industry - KOC MAT
• Competence Centre for Physical Security Industry - KOCTEH2018
• Competence Centre for Advanced Technologies in Factories of the Future

Example: Competence Centre for Advanced Technologies in Factories of the Future (KoC-ToP)

Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School-based Competence Centre investigates and applies the human-centred design approach which underlies competency building and integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology and augmented reality as well as modern psychological techniques cultivating intrinsic motivation. In this latter area, a mental training project involving Sara Isaković, Olympic silver medallist in swimming, was carried out. Joining forces with the Strategic Research and Development Partnership Factories of the Future, the Competence Centre developed a new competency model defining the skills, knowledge and requirements for the jobs and workforce in partner organisations helping them get prepared to meet the rising demand for digital technology adoption both at workplace and in private life.