Building trust in green and digital skills for construction professionals: the BuildSkills Academy Certification System

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Europe’s construction sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the green transition, digitalisation, and new performance standards for buildings.

To support this transition, the BuildSkills Academy project has developed a comprehensive certification system for transitional skills in the built environment, designed to strengthen the recognition of professional competences and support workforce upskilling across the sector.

This system consists of two key components:

  • the BuildSkills Academy Certification Framework for transitional skills and competencies
  • a set of specific Certification Schemes for targeted professional profiles

Together, they establish a structured and transparent approach for assessing and recognising competences in the construction sector.

The Certification Framework: a common foundation

The Framework for Transitional Skills Certification provides the overall structure and rules for the certification of people working in the construction sector.

Developed in alignment with the principles of ISO/IEC 17024, the framework sets out the general requirements and procedures that certification bodies should follow when assessing and certifying professional competences.

The framework defines:

  • transparent certification procedures
  • requirements for assessment and examination
  • rules ensuring independence, impartiality and confidentiality
  • procedures for granting, maintaining, suspending or withdrawing certification
  • rights and obligations of certified professionals
  • mechanisms for complaints and appeals

By establishing these principles, the framework helps ensure that certification processes are credible, consistent and transparent.

Certification Schemes: translating the framework into practice

While the Certification Framework provides the overall structure and serves mainly the purposes of inspiring certification organizations and VET providers across Europe to integrate this skills recognition approach in their offers, the BuildSkills Academy partners have also applied this process in practice and developed a set of specific certification schemes.

Certification scheme for curricula and training materials

    This scheme focuses on the quality and relevance of vocational education and training (VET) programmes. It establishes a structured process through which curricula and training materials can be evaluated and validated to ensure that they:

    • reflect the competence profiles and learning outcomes required by the sector
    • integrate the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM) developed within the project
    • provide learners with the knowledge, practical skills, and competences necessary for emerging roles in the built environment

    Through this scheme, training providers can demonstrate that their programmes are fully aligned with the competence-based approach promoted by the project, creating a stronger link between training provision and competence certification.

    Certification schemes for individuals

    In addition to validating training programmes, the BuildSkills Academy project has developed 12 certification schemes for individuals, targeting key professional profiles in the construction sector. These schemes define the requirements for certifying the competences of professionals and workers, including:

    • the scope of certification and occupational tasks
    • the competence requirements
    • prerequisites and eligibility criteria
    • assessment and examination methods, including theoretical and practical evaluation
    • conditions for maintaining and renewing certification

    Certification is granted to individuals who successfully complete the assessment process conducted by a certification body operating in accordance with the principles of ISO/IEC 17024 for the certification of persons.

    Through these schemes, the BuildSkills Academy certification system enables professionals to demonstrate their competence in key transitional skills needed for the evolving construction sector.

    Connecting certification with VET

    A distinctive feature of the BuildSkills Academy certification system is its strong commitment to updating VET offers for construction professionals.

    Candidates for certification are expected to complete training courses enriched through the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM) developed within the project. This innovative tool allows VET providers to enrich their training courses with competence-based learning outcomes, ensuring that training reflects the evolving green and digital skills required in the built environment.

    Through this integration, the BuildSkills certification system creates a coherent pathway from training to competence validation.

    Exploiting the Certification Framework

    The BuildSkills Academy Certification Framework has been designed as a practical tool that can be used and further developed beyond the project consortium.

    Certification bodies may use the framework as a reference for developing competence-based certification schemes for construction professionals, following the principles of ISO/IEC 17024 for certification of persons.

    At the same time, VET providers can align their training programmes with the competence requirements defined in the certification schemes and integrate the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM) into their curricula thus ensuring the provision of the emerging skills needed by the sector.

    Through this wider adoption, the framework can support greater transparency in competence recognition, stronger links between training and certification, and the continuous upskilling of the construction workforce.

    Benefits for the construction ecosystem

    The BuildSkills Academy certification system has been designed to support multiple stakeholders across the construction ecosystem.

    For professionals:

    • validation of competences through a structured assessment process
    • improved visibility of skills in the labour market
    • opportunities for professional development

    For employers:

    • improved transparency regarding workforce competences
    • stronger trust in skill validation processes

    For training providers:

    • clearer competence requirements linked to labour market needs
    • alignment of curricula with recognised certification schemes

    For certification bodies:

    • a structured framework for developing and implementing certification schemes

    Supporting the transformation of the construction sector

    By establishing a transparent system for competence certification, the BuildSkills Academy CoVE contributes to:

    • strengthening quality standards in construction
    • supporting upskilling and reskilling of the workforce
    • enhancing mobility and recognition of skills
    • facilitating the green and digital transition of the sector

    The Certification system developed under the project represents an important step toward building a future-ready construction workforce in Europe.