The proposal of the project aims to create an educational product of 4 interactive multimedia modules to improve vocational qualification and skills in the field of green construction. The project objectives are in line with the EU program 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. Achieving 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 obtaining of new skills and competencies of the employees in the sector.

The shortage of green skills in professions in the construction sector is already in place and unfortunately traditional educational institutions cannot meet this demand (SKILLS FOR A GREENER ECONOMY, 10.06.2016).

Objectives of the project

The project proposal aims through the creation of transnational partnerships to develop training product with innovative multimedia modules to meet the identified needs of the European construction sector of green skills of low-qualified workers and young people who have a choice of profession. The project team will study and analyze the existing trainings in the field of energy-efficient construction in partner countries and, taking into account the identified needs of the European construction sector, will develop, test and validate the modules for continuing professional education in the field of green construction.

Description of Activities

Given the European scope of the project activities, the project team is transnational and includes partners from Latvia, Bulgaria, Germany, and Hungary, which will develop, test, and certificate the training product at national and European level.

By using the right environment, training will be web-based and accessible online and offline after registration. Successful completion of a module will be certified with a certificate.

The planned educational product of 4 interactive, multimedia modules will be built on:

- an analysis of existing programs in the VET field and continuing of training in the construction sector in the partner countries;

- the identified needs of the construction sector from workers with professional skills in the field of green construction in the countries of the partner institutions.

 The project is innovative as it is planned to deliver training product that will conform to the established and most recent needs of the construction labor market with accordance to the EU program 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. There is shortage of green skills in professions in the construction sector and the traditional educational institutions cannot meet this demand (SKILLS FOR A GREENER ECONOMY, 10.06.2016)

 

Intended results

*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.

 and the expected long-term benefits

 *The project developed  Modules can  be used permanently after project completion.

Realized concepts of the professional training offer a high degree of transfer for other providers of education and training opportunities.

 *The construction industry acts as a pilot area, but it can also affect  other areas where solutions can be developed .

 

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 based on 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 was created as well as a tutorial for trainees.

The Training of trainers was held in Rezekne Technology Academy, Latvia. The key objective of the training was to develop knowledge, skills and experience of teachers and trainers in the field of Green Construction. 15 trainers (3 LV, 6 BG, 3 DE, 3 HU) were introduced the methodology and tools of working with the online platform. They were also presented with the content of each module - program, case studies, exercises, test and training materials.

The training resulted in:

- ability to work with the platform;
- each participant received theoretical and practical training in Green Construction;
- ability to establish contacts and network with other trainers in the partner countries;
- participants who completed the training successfully were awarded with a certificate by the Project Team.

The innovative modules developed were pilot tested in 3 EU countries (Latvia, Bulgaria, Hungary) with the participation of representatives of the target group. 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 (Latvia, Germany, Bulgaria and Hungary). 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.

Five 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 - Latvia, Bulgaria, Germany and Hungary, 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 construction.

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. Owing to the interactive and practice-oriented 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 are placed, also allows for the training materials to be delivered in other European languages besides those of the project partner countries (Bulgaria, Latvia, Germany and Hungary) after the completion of the project. The platform will also be open to the integration of other partners and the addition of new languages.