BACKGROUND & CHALLENGES Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste is the largest waste stream in the EU, representing about one third of all waste produced in terms of volume. EC initiatives such as the EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol (2016), and essentially the Circular Economy Package (2015), demonstrate a strong will at EU level to build knowledge in the European construction sector regarding C&D waste management. This generates the need to provide the construction sector, including demolition and renovation companies, with up-skilled site managers capable to: - Supervise on-site works regarding waste identification, separation & collection at source, - Execute waste management plans for site-works, - Ensure the health & safety processes, - Consult with customers, workers and other involved agents. AIM The project aims to support VET provision for site managers in C&D waste by: a) addressing modern training needs in accordance with EU priorities regarding waste management, and b) developing Open Educational Resources (OERs) that ensure easy and free access to on-line training and certification. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OBJ-1. Develop relevant learning outcomes and a modular course to address C&D waste management skills needs as regards identification, separation & collection at source. OBJ-2. Introduce open-access training methods in the field (OERs and a Vocational Open Online Course – VOOC). OBJ-3. Promote a framework for the integration of C&D waste management skills into EU certification and standardisation schemes. THE CODESMA PARTNERSHIP The partnership comprises 5 organisations from 5 countries from the world of VET, the construction industry, and research experts. Coventry University (COVUNI) conducts R&D and provides education and training for the construction industry in the UK. The Polish Association of Building Managers (PSMB) represents the construction managers’ sector needs at national and EU-wide level. The Hellenic Society for the Promotion of Research and Development Methodologies (PROMEA) is an expert in innovative VET methodologies and VOOC development. The Bildungszentren des Baugewerbes e.V. (BZB) and the Vilnius Builders Training Centre (VSRC) are specialising in developing highly relevant, job-specific VET programs and courses. ACTIVITIES & METHODOLOGY 1. Development of learning outcomes, based on evidence collected from VET providers, field experts and the construction industry via original desk and field research on skills requirements; this will lead to specific definitions of knowledge, skills and competences under ECVET standards. 2. Development of a modular course (in the form of OERs and VOOC), and VET guidelines for the integration of the CODESMA modules in modern training programmes. 3. Involvement of public authorities for the future certification & accreditation of the CODESMA curricula, through the development and promotion of a Certificate Supplement and a position paper. 5. Sharing and validation of outputs with multiplier events, inviting target groups to test and uptake CODESMA results , thus acting as further disseminators. RESULTS 1. Data-driven learning outcomes on the skills required by site managers to supervise waste identification, separation & collection at source. 2. VET learning units for a corresponding modular course. 3. VET guidelines for the integration of the developed learning outcomes into existing VET programmes. 4. Pedagogical resources and assessment tools offered as OERs. 5. A CODESMA Vocational Open Online Course. 5. Framework for the integration of C&D waste management skills into EU certification and standardisation schemes, including a Certificate Supplement and a position paper. 6. Two workshops (LT and DE) to promote results and validate learning materials. 7. Three national information days (UK, EL, PL) to disseminate results. IMPACT AND POST-PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY The CODESMA project is expected to have the following impact and long term benefits: 1. Promote the participation of a growing number of VET learners using the CODESMA OERs and VOOC through dissemination, exploitation and maintenance activities for three years after the project’s completion, based on partners' own effort. 2. Support at least 20 VET providers across the EU to enhance new training programs by integrating the CODESMA outputs. 3. Further maturing of certification & accreditation policies, as a result of the developed framework or the integration of C&D waste management skills into EU certification and standardisation schemes, and in particular via the distribution and circulation of the CODESMA position paper to authorities and policy makers.
Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste is the largest waste stream in the EU, representing in terms of volume almost 30% of all waste produced. C&D waste have been recognised by the EU as a priority waste stream demonstrated by EC initiatives such as the EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol (2016), and the Circular Economy Package (2015). C&D waste has a high potential for recycling and reuse. Despite this, the level of recycling and reuse of C&D waste varies greatly across the EU, which often means that not only reusable materials are disposed in landfills, but also hazardous waste that may cause damage to the environment. This has highlighted the need for upskilling of construction site managers to enable them to manage construction waste responsibly and increase their awareness of environmental priorities and technological advances. Site manger usually receive on job training which varies greatly in most EU countries. It has been obvious that skills such as supervision of on-site works (waste identification & separation), compliance with pre-demolition audits, execution of waste management plans, elimination of hazardous waste) are increasingly sought after in the labour market. CODESMA aimed to tackle this challenge by delivering a modular VET course as an Open Educational Resources (OERs) addressing both EU priorities of the Circular Economy regarding waste management and modern training needs with flexible self-study, self-paced online course divided in manageable learning units and topics. In particular, project objectives included: 1) Enhancing relevance of VET for site managers to address C&D waste management skills needs 2) Introducing modern training delivery methods and innovative open access pedagogical resources, enabling learners to acquire improved waste management skills related to C&D, and 3) Facilitating the integration of C&D waste management skills into EU certification & standardisation schemes. The partnership comprised 5 organisations from 5 EU countries, including VET providers in construction, researchers, as well as learning innovation experts. CU brought extensive R&D in the education and training of construction professionals, as well as experience in the project management and participation in EU projects. PROMEA contributed as an expert in the development and delivery of innovative ICT-based training and VOOC, as well as in management of EU projects. PSMB represented the construction managers sector at EU-wide level, having close ties in standards setting and qualifications, as well as through bringing access to key players and lobbying relevant policy makers. VSRC and BZB brought practical experience on delivering VET courses & practices, contributing their expertise in developing job-specific training courses and delivering high quality VET material for the construction sector. The CODESMA project produced the following results VET sector validated learning outcomes for training provision in C&D waste management skills for site managers. Training course structured in learning units suitable for VET level and guidelines proposal for course integration in VET. Pedagogical resources and assessment tools for C&D waste management for site managers, offered as OERs. CODESMA Vocational Open Online Course in C&D waste management for site managers delivered in all partners languages A certificate supplement and a position paper to pave the way for the integration of C&D waste management skills into EU certification schemes. Two workshops and two national info days to promote project results and validate all developed materials; the third infoday had to be cancelled as a result of the COVID-19, but all materials were prepared. Finally, long term benefits of the project expected: The uptake of project materials and open educational resources from relevant VET providers across the EU, Participation of an increasing number of VET learners engaging with the course materials both as a self learners or within the VET . Expansion of the strategic partnership towards a network of collaborating VET and sector stakeholders Further maturing & development of national and EU VET policies influenced by CODESMA recommendations, Cross border certification of skills acquired.