Level: For Intermediate and Advanced Setting: Non-formal Format: In-person, Online and Hybrid Subject: Inter-disciplinary |
The construction sector stands as a cornerstone of Europe's economy, being a major employer and having substantial environmental, societal, and economic impacts. As the European Union transitions towards a resource-efficient and competitive economy, the construction sector is identified as pivotal in this transformation. However, the sector faces significant challenges, particularly in attracting young and skilled workers, as well as in re-skilling and upskilling its existing workforce.
Knowledge gaps and evolving market demands for transitional skills, lifelong learning, and competencies are evident across Europe. Unfortunately, vocational education and training (VET) systems in various Member States are slow to introduce these skills into their offerings.
Moreover, the competence recognition frameworks remain segmented in the Member States with no mutual standard for certification of transitional skills.
The construction sector must equip workers with the necessary skills and competencies for the evolving labor market and to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Climate Law's 2050 climate neutrality target.
Introducing BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology
In response to these challenges, the BuildSkills Academy aims to develop a BuildEnrichedSkills methodology to align VET training with the current demands of the labor market, emphasizing lifelong learning, re-skilling, and upskilling.
Central to this initiative is the creation of a pan-European certification framework, which aims to provide an umbrella certification for the recognition and validation of essential skills and competencies required for the green and digital transition.|
The project aims to address these challenges over a period of 48 months, and it targets intermediate and advanced learners, focusing on adult learning, lifelong learning, post-secondary vocational education, and tertiary education, in a mostly non-formal education setting through VET providers.
Activities & Deliverables
- Development of a comprehensive skills taxonomy, tagging both existing and new skills and competencies across key construction sub-sectors.
- Pilot training programs to test the BuildEnrichedSkills methodology and certification framework on 12 pilot enriched VET courses across six countries. The co-design procedure include partners from industry, academia, training providers, and certification bodies to ensure strategic alignment. 300 trainees will be engaged, and it will reach 100 VET providers, 1000 companies, 18 chambers and clusters and 20 organizations at European level from the construction skills ecosystem.
- Digital Platform and Playbook: Creation of an interoperable digital platform and playbook to update VET courses, integrating with providers, professional bodies, vocational colleges, and universities.
Supporting Sustainable Development Goals
The BuildSkills Academy aims to significantly contribute to the following SDGs:
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): By providing youth and adults with relevant sustainable development skills through quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, thereby enhancing employability.
- SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By recognizing and validating essential skills for green and digital transitions, enabling workers to upskill and companies to improve performance, competitiveness, and innovation.
Indirectly, BuildSkills also supports SDGs 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13 by fostering competencies aligned with these goals, thus encouraging construction sector workers to contribute positively to these areas.
Project Impact and Future Prospects
- European Certification Framework: Development of a unified framework for certifying digital and sustainability skills in the construction sector, integrating EU policy, national professional bodies, vocational colleges, and academic pathways.
- European-wide Accreditation: Creation of interoperable micro-credentials recognized across all providers.
- Policy Mapping: Aligning with net-zero construction policies.
- Expansion of Pilot Projects: Extending to additional countries and regions, increasing trainee and provider participation.
- Enhanced Industry Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships between VET institutions and industry.
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly updating the BuildEnrichedSkills methodology and certification framework based on feedback and evolving market needs.
- High-Level Engagement: Elevating the construction skills ecosystem through strategic engagement and embedding the BuildSkills Academy within the landscape of vocational excellence.
By addressing these challenges head-on, the European construction sector can not only meet the demands of the present but also build a sustainable, skilled workforce ready for the future.
Dear Isabela Joia ,
Congratulations on such an interesting project! I had the pleasure to read your full submission, including your survey, and it is an inspiring learning scenario. As explained in the call page and in the survey, I have now proceeded to curate your post to include all the relevant tags. However, I believe that the community would benefit from learning more about your methodology, subjects involved in the project, and a more detailed explanation of the learning scenario.
Would you mind editing your blog post adding this information for the rest of the community?
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