BackgroundIn all participating regions, connection with (Higher Education) universities and research centres are made with the intention to create solid and sustainable partnerships. All partners work on strengthening Vocational education in the Water sector in their region. Due to the nature of this project, the work in all work packages required input from the water related labour market.ObjectivesAfter a year of cooperating in the project, this core-objective of our PoVE Water project is already being met. Not only have we been working intensively together on EU level (in dept knowledge sharing sessions and monthly meetings), all partners made steps towards vocational excellence by connecting to regional water sector innovation ecosystems. On regional level, strong links are made with the industry and other stakeholders.ImplementationWe recognize to a full extend that the high-level ambitions we have with our (pilot) PoVE Water (project) is reliant on synergies, cooperation and cross-fertilisation. We also know that this can only be obtained when partnerships are created that are long-term, based on trust & mutual understanding. Partners have to recognize the common goal they pursue in order to align activities and strengthen each other.ResultsThe project activities and results are in coherence with the aims of the Sector Skills Alliances as it focusses on tackling skills gaps, by identifying sector specific labour market needs and demand for new skills with regard to one or more occupational profiles (demand side). At the same time, by involving VET in triple helix innovation ecosystems, the responsiveness of initial and continuing VET systems in enhanced. These are core aims of Sector Skills Alliance projects.