1. CONTEXT/BACKGROUND Traditional crafts in the construction sector, such as restoration of façade lining or masonry, or carpentry; tend to disappear because of, among others, the transition from one generation to the next caused by the ageing of the crafts workers and the current unattractiveness of the construction sector. On the other hand, restoration activity is increasing in Europe, what requires properly skilled workforce. The development of actual learning resources about traditional techniques as a complement of vocational training aimed at upgrading trainees' skills would enhance job expectations of trainees and make the construction sector more appealing and sustainable. 2. OBJECTIVES * Gathering knowledge and techniques, about the traditional processes in the construction sector related to the renovation of buildings, in order to avoid the loss of know-how. * Training young workers in these techniques, to ensure a proper restoration of the traditional elements in old buildings. 3. NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS Different profiles mainly linked to construction sector shall be targeted: VET entities, local public bodies relevant for qualifications and VET, current students or apprentices, building workers, companies, trainers, social agents, etc. Hence, we have estimated the following number of participants: -Direct participants: 775 -Potential or indirect participants: +1.000.000 As for the partnership, 6 entities experts in VET and in the construction industry will participate: -FLC (Leader, Spain) - BZB (Germany) - IFAPME (Belgium) - CCCA-BTP (France) - CENFIC (Portugal) - FORMEDIL-PUGLIA (Italy) 4. METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES The project methodology is structured along the 24 months planned in different activities which include specific activities leaded by one project partner. The working methodology will combine several qualitative techniques, case of studies and semi-structured interview, in order to have first-hand information regarding renovation activities and ICT. ACTIVITIES Project will put into motion four activities that aim to develop some core Intellectual Outputs (IO): A1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: MONITORING AND CONTROLLING This activity will be devoted to guarantee a proper implementation of project activities as well as a financial monitoring thereof, under ISO norms and EQAVET recommendations. A2. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION. ENDORSEMENT This activity will have a triple aim: to create the National Advisory Groups (NAG), to do a continuous and external evaluation and validation of results and to start up a standard process of recognition: IO6: Standard recognition of the Learning Outcomes. A3. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION. FIELD WORK This activity will cope with the development of the key contents of the project as well as its put into practice: O1. Handy Guide: Traditional restoration being applied to antique buildings in Europe O2. KSC (Knowledge, Skills and Competencies) Map O3. KSC definition in terms of Learning Outcomes O4. Open Educational Resource: APP “Construction Inheritance” O5. Experimentation and External validation: Pilot Experience A4. PROJECT DISSEMINATION, VALORISATION AND SUSTAINABILITY This activity will put into motion concrete divulgation actions aimed at achieving the highest impact possible: multipliers events such as infodays, dissemination conference, international events as well as a complete set of activities to spread project results throughout social networks, press and targeted diffusion. 5. RESULTS The main result will be the collection and transmission of traditional knowledge to new workers generation regarding renovation activities. This knowledge, resulted in learning outcomes, will be materialized on digital learning resources, which may be used in turn by the educational system. Trainees could be multifunctional workers and, therefore better trained to work in renovation activities. The generalization of the ECVET approach to accredit skills would improve the acknowledgement of learning acquired via non-formal and informal contexts. 6. IMPACT Short-term impact in: -Building workers: They will improve easily their skills on traditional renovation by using the new APP. -Construction VET providers: They will have training contents modernized, more adapted to the renovation skills required by the market. -Construction VET students and apprentices: new skills available adapted to the evolution of the labour market needs during their training or apprenticeship. As for long term benefits, we can highlight two factors closely connected with project sustainability: - The deployment of know-how on an APP allows an easy updating, and therefore its transfer over time. - The use of ECVET will ensure a long lasting accreditation of acquired skills.
1. CONTEXT/BACKGROUND Traditional crafts in the construction sector, such as stonecutter, mason or carpenter, tend to disappear because of, among others, the transition from one generation to the next one caused by the ageing of the crafts workers and the current unattractiveness of the construction sector, which resulting in a lack of qualified workforce to do restoration works. However, restoration activity is increasing in Europe, being in fact the most important activity. The development of learning resources about traditional techniques as a complement of vocational training would improve the response of VET system to market needs, increasing at the same time job expectations of youngsters and make the construction industry more appealing and sustainable. 2. OBJECTIVES The project has two main objectives: * Gathering knowledge and techniques about traditional processes in the construction industry related to the renovation of buildings, in order to avoid the loss of know-how. * Training young workers in these techniques, to ensure a proper restoration of the traditional elements in old buildings in Europe. 3. PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS As for the partnership, 6 entities experts in VET in the construction industry have participated in the project: - FLC (Leader, Spain) - BZB (Germany) - IFAPME (Belgium) - CCCA-BTP (France) - CENFIC (Portugal) - FORMEDIL-PUGLIA (Italy) All partners belong to the “Network for the Vocational Education and Training in the construction sector in Europe”, RE.FORM.E (www.reforme.org). 4. METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES The project methodology is structured along 24 months, planned in different activities which included specific activities led by one project partner. The working methodology to gather and exploit information has combined several qualitative techniques: observations, case of studies and semi-structured interviews. Three phases have been set into motion to develop the project and its results: A1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT. Quality plan. A2. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION. Development of deliverables and endorsement by core key agents. - Handy guide. European experiences in rehabilitation of buildings: Six case studies - Map of skills. Skills needs identification for restoration of traditional architecture in Europe - Training program. Rehabilitation of traditional architecture in Europe - Open educational resource: App "Construction Inheritance". - Experimentation and external validation: pilot courses. - Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A3. PROJECT DISSEMINATION. Valorisation and sustainability 5. RESULTS The main result of the project has been to gather and transmit traditional knowledge and building techniques, with the aim of training new workers concerning the restoration of old buildings in Europe. This collection of know-how has been transformed into learning outcomes that have been materialized in a training program and its corresponding open and digital learning resource – App -, which can be used by the VET system and/or in-company training. Also, the training program has been carried out under the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and the ECVET system to facilitate the accreditation of acquired skills, in order to enhance the acknowledgement of learning, also attained via non-formal and informal contexts. 6. IMPACT - Trainees and apprentices, who may be able to acquire these skills by means of new technologies and increase their job opportunities in the sector. - Building workers, who may increase their skills on traditional restoration and therefore their job opportunities in the sector. - Trainers and VET providers in the construction industry, since they will have available an innovative training program with contents adapted to market needs. - Strengthening and promotion of quality, transparency and mutual trust in VET in Europe. - Higher coherency between labour market and the provision of VET, in order to get a better performance of youth employment and sectorial skills. 7. LONG TERM BENEFITS - Fostering of VET European tools (EQF, ECVET), which will ensure a lasting and shared accreditation of acquired skills, encouraging the mobility of apprentices and workers in Europe. - Improvement of the construction sector image through its modernization and attention to the architectural heritage in Europe.