BuildSkills Academy Introduces Comprehensive Certification Schemes for Training Materials and Individuals in the Construction Sector

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The BuildSkills Academy project has reached a key milestone with the completion of Deliverable 3.1 – Certification Schemes of Curricula, Training Materials and Individuals. Developed by the Cyprus Certification Company (CCC) in collaboration with all project partners, this deliverable lays the foundation for a robust and quality-assured learning and certification framework within the construction sector.

The deliverable introduces 13 certification schemes – each designed to guarantee quality, compliance, and competency in both learning content and individual qualifications. These schemes support the standardisation and credibility of the training developed within the project.

Certification Scheme for Curricula and Training Materials

The first scheme focuses on assessing and certifying all training curricula and materials (both enriched and newly developed) according to predefined quality standards and their alignment with the European Qualification Framework (EQF). This ensures:

  • All learning outcomes are tailored to the appropriate EQF level.
  • Training content meets high quality standards to support those outcomes.

The assessment and certification process is managed by dedicated technical and assessment committees composed of independent experts. The process includes formal submission, evaluation, feedback, and certification, with ongoing obligations for updates in case of any material changes.

12 Certification Schemes for Individual Competence Assessment

The remaining schemes cover the assessment and certification of individuals in key qualification areas at EQF Levels 3 to 7. These schemes are aligned with ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standards and outline:

  • Criteria for certification and re-certification.
  • Evaluation procedures for knowledge and skills.
  • Obligations for both the certified professionals and the certification body (CCC).

The individual certification schemes cover the following qualifications:

  • Construction Safety Technician (EQF 3)
  • Construction Technician (EQF 4)
  • Energy Management Technician (EQF 4)
  • Waste Management Technician (EQF 4)
  • Digitization Technician (EQF 4)
  • Installers of Energy-efficient Building Systems (EQF 4)
  • Sustainable Urban Designer (EQF 5)
  • Sustainable Urban Environment Designer (EQF 5)
  • Health and Safety Risk and Reliability Practitioner (EQF 6)
  • Bio-inspired Design Specialist (EQF 6)
  • Circular Economy and Waste Management Specialist (EQF 6)
  • Digitalization Expert in Sustainability (EQF 7)

These certification schemes provide a unified approach to upskilling and validating competencies across the construction industry – ensuring that the professionals certified under the BuildSkills Academy banner meet consistent and transparent standards.

The schemes are presented in full within Deliverable 3.1, serving as a reference for certification bodies, training providers, employers, and learners alike. Explore the full overview of the certification schemes developed for training courses and professional qualifications within the BuildSkills Academy: Deliverable 3.1 | Online Guide | Certification schemes of curricula and training materials and of individuals

BuildSkills Academy Introduces an Innovative Platform to Support VET Providers in the Green and Digital Transition

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The BuildSkills Academy project has reached a significant milestone with the launch of the BuildSkills Platform (BSP), an innovative online tool designed to support Vocational Education and Training (VET) centers across Europe. Developed as part of the European Union-funded initiative, the platform aims to help VET providers assess and enhance their training programs to better align with the evolving needs of the construction sector, particularly in the context of the green and digital transition.

BuildSkills Platform

The construction industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by new sustainability standards and digital innovations. At the same time, the sector faces critical workforce shortages and a growing demand for highly skilled professionals. The BuildSkills Platform addresses these challenges by offering a free, user-friendly solution that allows VET providers to self-assess and improve their courses.

Through the platform, users can evaluate their existing or newly developed training programs against specific construction occupations. The system provides a detailed skills gap analysis, a quality assurance assessment, and guided recommendations for enhancing course content. Additionally, the platform features a Skills Explorer, which includes a comprehensive list of nearly 300 skills relevant to the construction industry.

The BuildSkills Platform is open to all VET providers and requires only a simple registration to access its full range of features. By leveraging this tool, training centers can ensure that their curricula meet emerging industry demands, equipping learners with the necessary expertise for sustainable and technologically advanced construction careers.

The BuildSkills Academy project is committed to strengthening the European workforce by fostering high-quality education and training opportunities. The introduction of this state-of-the-art platform marks a crucial step toward building a skilled, future-ready labor force in the construction sector.

For more information and to explore the platform, visit:

BuildSkills Platform

BuildSkills Academy Introduces the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology to Support VET Providers

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The BuildSkills Academy (BSA) project is taking a major step toward enhancing vocational training with the introduction of the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM). This structured, research-backed approach empowers Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers to modernize their courses with essential green and digital skills, ensuring that training aligns with the evolving needs of the construction sector.

What Has Been Done?

The BESM was developed through a rigorous, multi-phase process that combined research, industry collaboration, and pilot testing:

  • Research & Framework Development – BESM builds upon initial work on skills mapping and VET quality assurance, ensuring compliance with EQAVET standards and alignment with industry skill demands.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Validation – The methodology was co-developed with VET providers, industry professionals, and policymakers. It was refined through two virtual roundtables and six country roundtables to ensure practical relevance.
  • Pilot Testing & Digital Integration – A self-assessment questionnaire was piloted across 12 courses within the BuildSkills Academy consortium. Based on feedback, a digital platform was developed to streamline the BESM practical implementation.

What Does the Methodology Propose?

The BESM provides a structured, three-step process for VET providers to enhance their courses with essential green and digital skills:

  • Self-Assessment – A structured questionnaire helps VET providers evaluate their courses based on content, teaching methods, and assessment approaches.
  • Skills Gap Identification – An automated gap analysis report compares existing course content against industry standards and highlights missing skills.
  • Enrichment Process – BESM offers practical guidelines, best practices, and digital tools to support course improvement, ensuring that training programs remain relevant and future-proof.

This methodology is fully integrated into a digital platform – a user-friendly tool for VET providers to assess, refine, and enhance their courses efficiently.

Why Does It Matter?

The construction industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by sustainability goals and technological advancements. At the same time, workforce shortages and the demand for new skills continue to grow. The BESM directly addresses these challenges by providing a clear, structured framework that enables VET providers to:

  • Adapt and modernize their courses to include essential green and digital skills.
  • Align training programs with industry and policy demands.
  • Ensure a high standard of education, incorporating innovative teaching methods like AR/VR and problem-based learning.
  • Empower educators with a step-by-step process to enrich courses quickly and effectively.
  • Support workforce development, equipping learners with job-ready skills for the evolving construction sector.

What’s Next?

  • Introduction of the BESM Digital Platform, providing an interactive tool for course assessment and improvement.
  • Further validation and refinement, with input from external quality experts.
  • Integration into VET curricula across Europe, ensuring widespread adoption and impact.

Explore the full report, its scope, content and procedure here: BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology.

Introducing the Skills Gap Matrix (Del. 2.1)

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BuildSkills Academy, a leading initiative in revolutionizing vocational education and training (VET) for the construction industry, proudly announces the completion of Deliverable 2.1. This milestone marks a significant advancement in addressing the pressing skills gap within the European construction sector.

Deliverable 2.1 represents a meticulous culmination of research and collaboration aimed at comprehensively addressing the skills and competences required across various occupations and EQF levels. The report sets a new standard for VET providers, offering insights that will shape the future of the industry.

Context: Recognizing the pivotal role of VET in preparing the workforce for the green and digital transitions in construction, BuildSkills Academy is committed to empowering VET providers with the necessary tools and insights. Deliverable 2.1 represents the initial phase of this journey, laying the groundwork for strategic upskilling and reskilling initiatives.

Research Methodology: The development of Deliverable 2.1 involved a rigorous analysis of topical areas crucial to the future of the EU construction sector. Drawing upon existing literature, EU policies, and insights from similar projects, BuildSkills Academy identified five priority areas: Net-Zero Carbon Emissions, Climate Resilience and Adaptation, Circular Economy Practices, Sustainable Materials and Sourcing, and Occupant Health and Wellbeing. Additionally, 38 occupations were categorized according to the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) taxonomy, aligning them with the building lifecycle for comprehensive coverage.

Skills Gap Matrix: Central to Deliverable 2.1 is the Skills Gap Matrix, representing the synthesis of research findings and the ESCO database. Through a meticulous two-stage process, BuildSkills Academy refined and expanded upon existing skill sets, ensuring relevance and applicability across various occupational domains. The framework identifies critical skills and competences while anticipating potential labor market needs, providing a strategic roadmap for industry stakeholders.

As BuildSkills Academy unveils Deliverable 2.1, stakeholders across the construction ecosystem are invited to engage with the findings and join the initiative in shaping the future of vocational education and training. Together, we can build a workforce equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow, driving sustainable growth and innovation within the European construction sector. Explore the full report and its implications for the industry HERE and HERE.

BuildSkills Academy Achieves Milestone with EQAVET Compliance Guide

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We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the BuildSkills Academy project: the completion of a comprehensive guide to EQAVET compliance for COVE BuildSkills Academy (COVE BA). This achievement marks a crucial step towards enhancing the standards of vocational education and training (VET) for the building sector across Europe.

The European Quality Assurance for Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET) framework serves as a cornerstone in this pursuit, ensuring that VET programs align seamlessly with European standards. For COVE BA, adherence to EQAVET standards is imperative to guarantee that the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM) meets the highest quality benchmarks.

The guide, structured into four parts, outlines a strategic framework for quality that COVE BA has defined to ensure EQAVET compliance and foster excellence in VET for the building sector.

1. Understanding EQAVET Standards: The first section delves into the logical framework of EQAVET, providing clarity on its indicators and descriptors. This common understanding among COVE BA partners ensures alignment with EQAVET standards and provides guidance for potential VET providers seeking to join the network.

2. EQAVET Self-assessment: Conducted among founding partners, this self-assessment evaluates existing quality systems at the local level. Identifying strengths and weaknesses lays the groundwork for a unified COVE BA quality process for BESM.

3. Establishing a Common Mission: Building upon insights from the self-assessment, this section outlines a comprehensive BESM-EQAVET compliance plan. It not only identifies specific actions for compliance but also establishes a shared mission among COVE BA partners, ensuring a collaborative effort towards excellence.

4. Implementation of EQAVET Indicators-based Process: Following the PDCA paradigm, this section sets in motion a continuous improvement cycle. Regular reviews and updates to the compliance plan ensure alignment with evolving educational landscape and EQAVET requirements.

By adopting a systematic quality approach, COVE BA not only ensures compliance of current VET providers but also paves the way for future training entities to seamlessly integrate into the network. The commitment to EQAVET standards fosters growth opportunities for individuals and businesses alike, positioning COVE BA as a beacon for excellence in VET for the building sector in Europe.

This achievement underscores our dedication to driving innovation and sustainability in the construction industry through education and training. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey towards a greener, smarter future.