Project Background The construction branch is currently exposed to challenges, because more and more new materials and technologies are used for climate-friendly and sustainable buildings. Achieving the EU objectives for efficient use of natural resources leads to the use of new materials, techniques, regulations and standards in the construction sector, which require the development of new skills and competencies of the employees in the sector. The shortage of green skills in the professions related to the construction sector are to be discussed. Unfortunately traditional educational institutions can not meet this demand. The project proposal aims to support the EU Agenda from 10.06.2016 for new skills (A NEW SKILLS AGENDA FOR EUROPE, 10.06.2016) and in particular the program for SKILLS FOR A GREENER ECONOMY. Objectives of the project The project proposal aims to improve the professional skills in green construction through online training. The project team aims to develop, test and validate innovative training modules in accordance with the needs of the European construction sector. By using the appropriate environment the training modules will be web-based and accessible to students, construction workers and all interested stakeholders. Given to the European scope of the project activities, the project team is transnational and includes partners from Latvia, Bulgaria, Germany, and Hungary, who will develop, test and certificate the training modules at national and European level. Successful completion of a module will be certified with a certificate. Description of Activities The planned training product consists of 4 interactive, multimedia modules that will be built on: • Analysis of existing programs in the VET field and continuing training in the construction sector in the partner countries; • Identification of needs of the construction sector from workers with professional skills in the field of green construction in the countries of the partner institutions. • Development of interactive multimedia modules in the field of green construction that meet the identified needs of the construction workers and the needs of the European labor market. • Technical, methodological and didactic development of modular e-learning concepts. • Development of the versions of the modules in the languages of the partner countries. • Selection of the e-learning environment. • Adaptation of teaching modules to the requirements of e-learning technology. • Training of the trainers. • Testing of the developed modules. • Assessment, improvement and certifying of the modules. • Dissemination of the training modules in green skills . Brief description of the intended results, impacts • Improving the vocational education and training in green construction. • Increasing the professional skills in ecological construction. • Supporting the development of green construction branch by providing specialists with green skills. • Increasing the motivation of students an young people for vocational training in the field of green construction. • Change in people's thinking about the sensible use and management of energy resources. • Creating a sense of ecological responsibility – a prerequisite for ensuring the “green” future of the next generation. • Creation of web-based multilingual module to increase the professional training in green construction. • Significant increase in the motivation of construction workers to qualify thanks to the interactive and practical aspect transfer of knowledge. • The developed modules can be adapted and applied to other areas of vocational training. The expected long-term benefits • Modules developed during the project can be used permanently after project completion. • Concepts of the professional training realized during the project offer a high degree of transfer for other providers of education and training opportunities. • Construction industry acts as a pilot area, but it can also affect other areas where solutions can be developed.
The project “IMPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS IN GREEN CONSTRUCTIONS THROUGH ONLINE TRAINING” corresponds to the A NEW SKILLS AGENDA FOR EUROPE, 10.06.2016, and in particular the program of EU “SKILLS FOR A GREENER ECONOMY”. EU objectives for the efficient exploitation of natural resources and climate protection leads to the implementation of new technologies, materials and standards in building industry, requiring new skills and competences of the professionals working in this field. Aims of the project: The project proposal aim is to improve the professional skills in green construction through online training. The project team aim is to develop, test and validate innovative training modules in accordance with the needs of the European construction sector. Summary of the activities carried out in the Project: To achieve these aims, a training course consisting of 4 modules was created in the topic of Green Construction for those working in the construction sector. The Modules: Materials of Green Construction, Energy Efficiency and Green Technology, Passive House Technology and Foreign Language Skills for Green Construction. The training modules were determined on the bases of the results of analysing “green” skills level of construction workers in the partner countries. The modules developed were translated into the language of each of the partner countries. A guideline specialized for online-based trainers as well as a tutorial for trainees was created. The Training of trainers was held in Rezekne Academy of Technologies, LV. The key objective of the training was to develop knowledge, skills and experience of the teachers and trainers in the field of Green Construction. 16 trainers (5 LV, 6 BG, 3 DE, 2 HU) were introduced with the methodology and tools of working with the online platform. Content of each module - program, case studies, exercises, test and training materials were also presented to them. The innovative modules developed were pilot tested in 3 EU countries (Latvia, Bulgaria, Hungary) with the participation of representatives of the target group. Construction workers - the participants 58 (33 LV, 15 BG, 5 DE, 5 HU) attended the pilot testing. The goal of pilot testing was to assess the quality of the curriculum content and the learning effectiveness of the training modules. Participants provided feedback on the quality of the training modules by responding questionnaires. The analysis of the results of the pilot tests proved that the training had been very efficient. Participants confirmed that the information on the platform was adequate and self-assessment tests were appropriate for the learning material. The modules developed met the demands and expectations of construction workers for environmental skills. Based on the suggestions of the trainees, the modules were supplemented and updated. A transnational partnership was created to realize the project's objectives. The partnership consists of 5 institutions of 4 different countries (LV, DE, BG, HG). There is a university, a vocational training centre, an IT services agency, a construction intermediary agency and a centre for education and innovation among the partners. The successful teamwork that combined the competencies and profiles of the partners contributed to the results of this project. 5 workshops were held during the project (one in every 6 months) where the achievements of the actual stage of the Project were discussed and analysed thoroughly and the forthcoming activities were planned. In order to disseminate the results of the Project, multiplication events were held in 4 countries, attended by over 250 participants: construction workers, high-school students, representatives of construction companies, teachers, trainers, school managers and representatives of public institutions. In conclusion we might say that the training modules are attractive, they expand the knowledge of students, motivate them to learn more about the new trends in building industry that are low energy consumption and ecological constructions. Impacts. The innovative training program developed and piloted within the Project, has been integrated into the curricula of four partner institutions in three European countries. At the same time, the training modules are available online for each user through the Project’s website. The web-based interactive multilingual modules designed to enhance professional competences in Green Construction are innovative. Due to the interactive and practice-orientated training material, they help to increase the motivation of construction workers to acquire new knowledge and competences. The electronic platform MOODLE, in which the modules will be placed after the completion of the Project, will promote training material delivery in other European languages, besides the project partner countries. The platform will be also available for the integration of other partners and the addition of new languages.