In Europe, the construction sector plays an important role in the economy. However, the construction sector is confronted by structural problems and is one of the hardest hit by the financial and economic crisis.The construction sector is facing important challenges today and in the upcoming years: in addition to a response to the crisis, it is necessary to also find a way to bring important structural changes and to proceed with a restructuring of the construction sector in the long term.Indeed, the construction sector definitely needs a change of model, essentially supported by (i) continuous innovation, (ii) skilled workers and (iii) economical and environmental sustainability, for reinforcing its competitiveness. It is essential to improve the performance of the value chain and to adopt innovative solutions in order to revitalize business in the construction sector. In fact, the companies of the construction sector will have to develop new strategies to improve their competitiveness and to respond to the sector challenges and to ensure the sustainability of the sector.In this context, the Lean Construction appears as an innovative, relevant and promising approach to initiate and support the imperative change of the construction sector and to improve the competitiveness of their companies.The Lean Construction is a philosophy which comes from the manufacturing industry (inspired by the Toyota Production System, originally called “just-in-time production”) and can be defined as a ““way to design production systems to minimize waste of materials, time, and effort in order to generate the maximum possible amount of value”.To do that, to fulfill the aims of Lean Construction – value is maximized and waste is minimized – there are a wide range of Tools/Methods/Techniques that can provide support and which have been developed in the recent years. Consequently, the construction sector is confronted with the need for skilled professionals which are able to apply and implement the Lean Construction approach within the companies. In fact, the construction sector faces a growing need for skilled professionals which know the principles and practices of the Lean Construction and master the specific and related tools/methods/techniques. As a result, the LEANCO project aims at developing and implementing a new continuing V.E.T. course for the construction sector, in order to bring the necessary knowledge and specific skills to professionals to let them apply and implement the Lean Construction approach within the companies, in view of improving their competitiveness and foster the transition toward a new construction model.With this objective, the LEANCO partnership was established with 5 different organizations which have a complementary profile and are all working in the fields of competences necessary to properly run the LEANCO project: LEAN Philosophy and LEAN Construction, Construction Sector, VET Training for professionals and the Lifelong Learning/Erasmus+ Programme. In addition, 4 different countries (Spain, France, Portugal and Poland) are represented in order to enlarge the geographical scope of this project.The LEANCO project will lead to the realization of (1) a Joint Training Programme in Lean Construction – the LEANCO Training Programme (a continuing Training Programme in Lean Construction for Professionals from the Construction sector) with their corresponding Teaching and Learning Elements; (2) the replication and adaptation of the LEANCO Training Programme to 4 different national contexts; (3) the implementation and testing of the LEANCO Training Programme through 3 Pilot-testing set up in 3 different member states; and (4) the LEANCO Platform, a specific tool that act as a methodological instrument to support training actions of the LEANCO Training Programme, as well as an informative and networking area in the field of Lean Construction for Professionals from the Construction sector.Therefore, the LEANCO project will mainly contribute to provide the construction sector with training actions (the LEANCO Training Programme) and a tool/instrument (the LEANCO Platform) in order to facilitate the implementation of Lean Construction approach within the companies, to improve their competitiveness and to foster the transition of the construction sector toward a new construction model.
1.- CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND The construction sector is undergoing a major change marked mainly by the ageing and decline in the number of workers, and the impact of the economic crisis. In this context, the transformation of the sector implies working with new strategies, innovating and questioning some traditional methods. Lean Construction deals precisely with the introduction of new management models based on LEAN methodology, to make it more competitive, sustainable and productive. 2.- OBJECTIVES The aim of the Lean.Co project was to develop and implement a new training programme in Lean Construction, in order to provide them with the necessary knowledge and specific skills to apply and implement the Lean Construction methodology approach within companies in the sector. In this way, we have sought to improve, in a sustainable manner, the competitiveness of workers, companies and their work systems, as well as to encourage the transition of the industry towards a new constructive model. To this end, we have designed and tested a complete training program in Lean Construction for construction professionals, in order to respond to the qualification needs that the labor market demands. 3.- PARTICIPANT PROFILES The project has been developed by 5 entities specialized in the sector and training: Fundación Laboral de la Construcción (Spain) WUT (Poland) Centro Habitat ( Portugal) Tipee (France) ACP (Spain) 4.- METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES The project methodology is structured along the 24 months of duration.The different planned activities have been carried out, each led by a project partner. The working methodology for the collection and processing of information for the development of training has combined several qualitative techniques: surveys and interviews with agents of the sector and the documentary study on Lean Construction. The coordination of the activities has been articulated through face to face and online meetings between the partners, supported by a virtual space for collaborative work to share the documentation. The project has consisted of four major areas: 1.- Project management. 2.-Development and implementation of the Lean.Co. Program. . Design of the Lean.Co training programme (mixed face to face and teletraining modality) . Elaboration of the teaching methodology and training modules for face to face and teletraining. . Design and development of a platform for teletraining. . Elaboration of didactic material, activities and visual support for teachers and students. . Validation and transfer of the Lean.Co. program . Replication and adaptation of the Lean.Co program for use in the 4 countries collaborating in this project: Spain, France, Portugal and Poland. . Development of four pilot experiences with workers in the sector. . Measurement of the satisfaction of these pilot experiences. Dissemination and communication of the project: Valorization and sustainability. Compilation of conclusions and future strategies: Compilation of conclusions and analysis of their future use and durability over time. 5.- RESULTS The main result is the development and implementation of a continuous training program (mixed and teletraining) for construction workers. The Lean Construction training program has sought to provide the necessary knowledge and specific skills to apply and implement this management model in construction companies, in order to improve their competitiveness and encourage the transition to a new construction model. The success of the implementation has been the result of close collaboration between partners, which has allowed coordinated and structured content, with a high degree of transfer between countries. 6.- IMPACT -construction professionals, who have been able to get to know and be trained in new management models -companies in the sector, which have introduced a new way of doing things -public institutions and key players in the sector (sectoral clusters, professional associations, etc.), whose awareness is vital for the introduction of Lean Construction throughout the value chain. - VET trainers and centres, which can have a quality training itinerary with Europe, and resources in line useful for the future of construction. -project partners, who have created a product of value through joint work, with significant potential for exploitation. 7.- LONG-TERM BENEFITS -Contribution to the transition of the construction sector towards a Construction industry and construction 4.0, through training and the creation of resources for training in new management models that allow the optimization and efficiency of processes, and the dissemination of these new procedures and methodologies, such as LEAN and BIM, among professionals and companies in the sector, -Availability of an innovative training programme of 240 hours both in terms of content and teaching methodology.