The aims of innovation, technology transfer and investments in automation are important strategic issues. Several research studies indicate that, in the long term, SMEs adopting innovation strategies performed much better respect to not making ones. Several approaches for technology transfer exist, each focused on certain factors and objectives. Identifying the proper methods for their adoption is of great help for new entrepreneurs and for SMEs that plan to access manufacturing technologies to strengthen their competitiveness and R&D basis for further innovation in automation (Innovation Union Scoreboard of European Commission). “AuToMa - Automation, Technology transfer and Managerial practices for the growth of SMEs, a better employability and the promotion of the entrepreneurship” project can effectively contribute to the development of high professional skills with specific regard to the fields of automation, innovation and technology transfer, sharing them at national and European level. AuToMa developed an innovative and open training approach, including two specific learning paths, advanced learning tools and is really focused on the needs of specific target groups: future entrepreneurs and students who want to develop business in manufacturing sector, entrepreneurs and employees of SMEs who want to improve their qualification or re-qualify, as well as unemployed people who want to gain initial competences, Universities, Research centres and VET trainers that want to improve or update their learning curricula. The European countries involved in the project are: Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Bulgaria (all of 5 Partners have relevant experience in the sector and also in developing of transnational projects. In particular: 2 universities, 1 public research centre and 2 private consulting companies). The project provides 8 intellectual outputs:O1 “AuToMa Learning Methodology” that includes reports on the state-of-the-art on automation for SMEs in each Partner country; a context analysis of the innovation adoption in each Partner country related to the manufacturing SMEs; an in-depth analysis of project target groups features and needs in manufacturing sector; a best practices portfolio;O2 “Guidelines for the learning outputs” that provides advices for the preparation of the two specific learning paths that have been designed in the AuToMa project (one technical and one managerial);O3 “AuToMa Resources and Learning Integrated Area” that is an innovative ICT collaborative solution that provides updated documents and reports in the project fields;O4 “AuToMa Learning Contents” that includes the two specific learning paths (curricula) created to improve specific and transversal skills for the target users. One is technical and the other one is managerial. It includes also case studies and best practices;O5 “Handbook for AuToMa learners” that provides a summary of the available learning materials and also a guide on the fully use of the contents. The Handbook comprises most important tips based on the learning materials as well as some awareness raising texts;O6 “AuToMa website” that it is user-friendly and easy to navigate. The access to the developed e-learning materials supports the exchange of knowledge between all interested target groups and ensures the effective dissemination of the project results;O7 “Skills assessment tools” that includes two developed skills assessment tools, one for each developed learning path to evaluate the know-how acquired by the AuToMa course. They are available as multiple-choice test;O8 “AuToMa Certificate of Achievement” that is the final document that certifies the full completion of each learning path provided by the integrated online learning platform.The project provided tangible impacts at local, regional, national, European and international level. In particular entrepreneurs showed a great interest on the fields of innovation and technologies for automation. To increase experiences and skills of the employees have a strong impact at local, regional, national, European and international competitiveness levels. During and after the conclusion of the AuToMa project, HEIs improved also their teaching offer by the closer alignment with the R&D needs and market developments in the automation field. VET trainers' involvement in training on automation enabled them to incorporate more automation, technology transfer and managerial competences in their curricula and consulting activities. At national and European levels policy-makers in education obtained data and a best innovative training practice for promoting the project topics and its interactive training materials in Europe. Thanks to AuToMa a wider debate on the importance of project topics started also and the need to attract competences and knowledge to reinforce European competitiveness in science, research and production fields.