The BuildSkills Academy project has reached a key milestone with the completion of Deliverable 3.5. Certification schemes of curricula and training materials and of 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 3.5, 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 3.5 | Online Guide | Certification schemes of curricula and training materials and of individuals
D3.5_BSA_Certification-Schemes
Deliverable 3.5. Certification schemes of curricula and training materials and of individuals
/in DocumentsDeveloped 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.
Find more information HERE. Or preview the Deliverable below.
D3.5_BSA_Certification-SchemesDeliverable 2.4 | BuildEnrichedSkills methodology verified by the External Quality Assessment Panel
/in DocumentsIndependent Validation of the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology
This deliverable presents the results of the independent verification of the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM) conducted by the External Quality Assessment Panel (EQAP), a group of 14 international experts representing vocational education and training, higher education, industry, policy-making, and sustainability sectors. The assessment forms a key part of the BuildSkills Academy quality assurance framework and validates the methodology’s strategic relevance, adequacy, and applicability in addressing current and future skills needs within the construction sector.
The report summarizes expert feedback on the methodology’s alignment with European vocational education policies, green and digital transition priorities, labour market requirements, and emerging industry trends. It also incorporates insights gathered through six national stakeholder roundtables organized across participating countries. The validation confirms that BESM provides a robust, flexible, and scalable framework for enriching vocational education and training programmes with green and digital skills, while highlighting recommendations for further enhancement, future implementation, and potential replication in other sectors.
Overall, the report demonstrates that the methodology successfully supports workforce upskilling and reskilling efforts, strengthens the responsiveness of VET systems to industry needs, and contributes to Europe’s transition towards a more sustainable and digitally enabled construction ecosystem.
D2.4_BESM-verified-by-the-EQAP12 Innovative Courses for a Future-Ready Construction Workforce
/in News, TrainingThe BuildSkills Academy project presents a set of 12 pilot course syllabi, developed and enriched to embed green and digital skills into vocational education and training for the construction sector. These courses are designed to empower professionals at all levels – from technicians to urban designers – with the competences needed to thrive in Europe’s green and digital transition.
Developed by leading VET providers across Europe
The courses were created through international collaboration between six institutions, which will implement the initial piloting in six countries starting from November 2025:
Each of the 12 syllabus integrates digital proficiency and sustainable practices, preparing learners for modern construction challenges. Developed using the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM) and its online Self-Assessment Tool, the courses are tailored to industry demands and future skills needs.
The courses fall under five key topical areas:
Energy Efficiency
Design and Engineering
Circular Waste Management
Environment, Health and Safety
New Building Materials
For VET Trainers
Want to enrich your own courses with green and digital skills? Explore the BESM and the Self-assessment Tool as a starting point. Want to expand the portfolio of your training offerings? Soon you’ll have the chance to adopt one of our courses!
For Construction Professionals
You are interested in our courses? The pilot courses will be launched in November 2025 across the six pilot countries and professionals will have the opportunity to upskill / reskill directly with their local VET providers.
Each course will be introduced in detail in the coming months!
BuildSkills Academy in the Forum on Vocational Excellence 2025
/in Conference, NewsRepresentatives of the BuildSkills Academy took part in the Forum on Vocational Excellence 2025, held in Kolding, Denmark on 8–10 September.
The event gathered more than 380 participants from nearly 40 countries, including CoVE coordinators, vocational education and training (VET) providers, industry representatives, policymakers, and learners. As a flagship event of the Community of Practice for Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoP CoVEs), the forum served as a platform for sharing good practices, fostering cooperation, and discussing the future direction of VET in Europe.
For BuildSkills Academy, which focuses on advancing vocational excellence in the construction sector, participation in the forum was a valuable opportunity to strengthen collaboration, exchange experiences, and contribute to ongoing discussions on the development of green and digital skills in VET.
The BuildSkills Academy team extends its appreciation to the organizing institutions and partners for hosting a productive and well-structured event. The next Forum on Vocational Excellence will take place in Graz, Austria, on 7–10 September 2026.
Check out the aftermovie HERE.
Deliverable 2.6 | Validation report from the 5 Thematic groups on enriched courses
/in DocumentsValidation Report from the Five Thematic Groups on Enriched Courses
This deliverable presents the validation process and outcomes of consultations conducted within the five Thematic Groups (TGs) established under the BuildSkills Academy project. The TGs reviewed and validated the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM), the associated digital platform, and twelve course syllabi developed or enriched through the methodology. Through structured consultations, expert feedback, and collaborative review processes, the report demonstrates how external stakeholders contributed to ensuring that the project’s training provision remains relevant, high-quality, and aligned with emerging labour market needs, particularly in relation to the green and digital transitions in the construction sector.
The report documents the work of five thematic groups comprising 56 experts from project partners, associated partners, and external organisations who validated the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology and twelve BuildSkills Academy courses across EQF levels 3–7. The validation confirmed the quality, relevance, and market alignment of all course syllabi, while generating constructive recommendations that were incorporated into course improvements and future training material development. The process strengthened stakeholder engagement, supported continuous quality assurance, and enhanced the transferability and exploitation potential of the project’s results across European VET systems.
D2.6_Validation-report_5-TGs_finalDeliverable 2.1 List of skills and competences for different occupations and EQF levels in the construction sector
/in DocumentsDeliverable 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. This deliverable provides a list of skills and competences for each occupation and the respective EQF level, integrating the economic and innovation strategies and the market needs to support innovation and growth at local, regional, national and EU levels.
Find more information HERE. Or preview the Deliverable below.
D2.1-List-of-skills-and-competences_v.4.0BuildSkills Academy Introduces Comprehensive Certification Schemes for Training Materials and Individuals in the Construction Sector
/in Deliverables, NewsThe BuildSkills Academy project has reached a key milestone with the completion of Deliverable 3.5. Certification schemes of curricula and training materials and of 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:
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:
The individual certification schemes cover the following qualifications:
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.
D3.5_BSA_Certification-SchemesDeliverable 1.2 | External quality assessment report
/in DocumentsIndependent Verification of the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology
This report presents the findings of the External Quality Assessment Panel (EQAP) following its independent review of the BuildSkills Academy project during the first 24 months of implementation (June 2023 – May 2025). The assessment focused on the project’s flagship outcome developed during this period – the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM).
The report evaluates the methodology’s relevance, quality, strategic alignment, and responsiveness to the evolving skills needs of the construction sector, particularly in relation to the green and digital transitions. Drawing on the expertise of an international panel of specialists from vocational education, higher education, policy-making, industry, and sustainability fields, the review confirms that the methodology is strongly aligned with European and national priorities, addresses emerging workforce challenges, and provides a solid framework for enriching vocational training programmes.
The report highlights the project’s key achievements, identifies areas for further enhancement, and provides strategic recommendations to support the next stages of implementation, certification development, and piloting activities. Overall, the external assessment concludes that the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology is a robust and high-quality project outcome with strong potential for wider adoption across Europe.
D1.2-External-quality-assessment-report-M24_finalBuildSkills Academy Introduces an Innovative Platform to Support VET Providers in the Green and Digital Transition
/in Deliverables, NewsThe 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.
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 Academy Introduces the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology to Support VET Providers
/in DeliverablesThe 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:
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:
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:
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.
D2.3_BuildEnrichedSkills-Methodology_submitted