WP3 Lead Beneficiary 2. GBCSlo Work Package Name VET programmes and training materials for white collars and blue collars on ZEB, whole life carbon, circularity Start Month 4 End Month 20 Objectives Work package 3 is dedicated to the conceptualisation and production of the training programme for white and blue collars on the selected topics. Based on the results of the research and analysis carried out in WP2, discussed in task 3.1 through dedicated consortium workshop, the project partners will collaborate on the preparation of a common training programme and training material for white collars in English language, and on the definition of common training principles for blue collars, to support the development of nationally specific training activities by each national GBC.
Topics and competences to be developed with the training programmes developed in tasks 3.2 and 3.3 are based on the mapping exercises carried out in the tasks 2.2 and 2.3 of WP2. Result of WP3 is the preparation of the body of knowledge for white collars (in English language and common to all partners) and blue collars (country specific actions in national languages) to be tested in WP4. Description T.3.1 Workshop on analysis and planning of training programmes and material Lead: GBCSlo (BEN) | Contributors: GBC Croatia (BEN) , GBCe (BEN), GBC Italia (COO), GBC Hu (BEN), PL GBC (BEN) M4-M6 A consortium workshop will be organised among project partners to discuss the results of WP2 and agree on the preparation of the training programmes for white and blue collars.
The activities of the workshop will include:
- Presentation of the results of WP2 work for WCRLZ.
- Definition of the skills needed by white-collars and blue-collars on these topics
- Addressing women and young talents: challenges and opportunities
- Defining the learning objectives for the identified groups of learners
- Discussion on the educational and training content for white-collars to inform GBCs activities in task 3.2
- Discussion on the training content for blue-collars to inform GBCs activities in task 3.3 T.3.2
Developing educational content for building professionals (white collars) Lead: GBCSlo (BEN) | Contributors: GBC Croatia (BEN) , GBCe (BEN), GBC Italia (COO), GBC Hu (BEN), PL GBC (BEN) M7-M19 Development and production of training content for white collars in English language. On the basis of WCRLZ, a further selection will be made to complement existing programmes and link the contents to the current practice of GBCs and of other entities in charge of white collars’ education and training. One common programme for white collar workers will be collectively produced by the GBCs partners of the project. In WP4-Task 4.1 GBCs will adapt the content and shape of the training material for white collars to national needs, identified in WP2-Task 2.1. 10 Associated with document Ref. Ares(2023)4300034 – 21/06/2023 Project: 101121073 — LIFE22-CET-TOP CLeveR — LIFE-2022-CET
Topics of the programme can include:
- Whole life carbon: what is Whole Life Carbon (WLC), what are the main methodologies to calculate WLC in Europe, benchmarks and targets from advanced European countries, how does it influence building project and the whole construction value chain, examples from practice, presentations of suitable technologies, systems and products
- Circular construction: what is the circular approach to building projects and construction processes, what are the main theories and strategies in Europe (e.g. building as material bank, urban mining..), how does it affect the work and collaboration among the construction value chain’s stakeholders, how does it affect construction product design, what are the best practices available in Europe, examples from practice, presentations of suitable systems
- Resource efficiency: what is the concept of resource efficiency, what resources are included (e.g. energy, water, raw materials, waste…), how to calculate resource efficiency at design stage, how to verify resource efficiency during construction and operational phase, how does it affects the design phase, construction site management, construction process, building management, building adaptation, reuse and dismantling
- Level(s): this part of the programme will not overlap with Level(s) E-learning tools of the EU Academy platform but will complement it with specific content on the application of selected indicators, also leveraging the results of former European projects (e.g. LIFELevel(s)), providing examples of Level(s) application to case studies and including insights on how the use of the framework involves the construction value chain’ stakeholders practice (building design, disclosure of product data, collection of performance data..).
- Zero energy building: what are the main definitions of ZEB across EU countries, what is the difference between ZEB and nZEB, what does it imply in terms of emissions and energy demand, what are the main design strategies and building technologies to be used to achieve a ZEB, examples from practice, presentations of suitable systems All GBCs take part in the preparation of the material starting from existing courses and experiences and shaping new parts according to the skills’ demand identified in WP2 and agreed during the workshop in T3.1.
Each GBC will choose some of the programme’s topics to develop. The length of each part of the programme will be decided according to the number of subtopics and the amount of material GBCs will produce. The GBCs will prepare the training content and materials with the support of expert members who can share competences and knowledge on the selected topics. Finally, GBCs will share with the other partners the training material prepared and the full material will be ready for the national adaptation happening in WP4. T.3.3 Developing educational content for construction professionals and workers (blue collars) Lead: GBCSlo (BEN) | Contributors: GBC Croatia (BEN) , GBCe (BEN), GBC Italia (COO), GBC Hu (BEN), PL GBC (BEN) M7-M19
Development and production of country specific training content for blue collars. Starting from the topics selected and the results of the workshops in Task 3.1, each GBC is in charge of developing the training in the national language to implement the concepts in specific practical activities suitable for building firms and construction workers. From the general concepts of WCRLZ, a practical body knowledge for the workers on design and construction processes and the management of materials and resources on site will be developed. Each GBC will choose a country-specific way of developing the blue collar activities, some of these activities will facilitate the integration of young talents and/or women in the process. The activity of these tasks consists in shaping the training proposal and to produce the technical material needed. Specific Other direct costs items are identified in the detailed budget to support the design and implementation of actions for blue collars in each country. The testing activity will take part in the following WP4.
List of planned activities for blue collars per country: – GBCItalia: Design and implementation and delivery of an educational digital business game to simulate the process of collecting, sorting, delivering recycling and selling of construction materials and waste. GBC Italia will design the game concept and contents. As GBC Italia does not have internal digital business game development competences, a business game developer will be contracted for this part of the task, as other direct costs. The business game simulation will be based on the WOMPLUSplatform, which supports different languages, and which will be appropriately customized according to GBC Italia supporting activity. The business game, organized as a competition in different levels, will be available online aiming the trainees to familiarize with the construction site procedures. Each trainee, assuming the role of a site manager, will face increasingly complex issues in the waste disposal. The more problems they have to deal with, the higher the score will be reached by carrying out the correct procedures. Moving from one level to another will be allowed only successfully facing the problems that are shown. The simulation will be available 24/7 and it will be accessible by smartphones, laptops and tablets. Appropriate guidelines and video tutorials to better understand the different activities will be provided. Participants will receive an email invitation to the WOMPLUS platform to access the game and during the simulation phase an email care service will be provided.
The followings steps will be developed to address the simulation:
- Context analysis and key factor detection. This activity will be carried out together with GBC Italia to understand what the main procedures and resources are to be implemented for a correct understanding of the topic/problem 11 Associated with document Ref. Ares(2023)4300034 – 21/06/2023 Project: 101121073 — LIFE22-CET-TOP CLeveR — LIFE-2022-CET
- Case study, levels and procedures definition
- Case study presentation and validation. The case study will be submitted to GBC Italia to verify the correct understanding of the key elements.
- Simulation implementation
- Manual production
- Video tutorials production
- Testing
- Final Simulation
GBCe: Online training in video format on WCRLZ concepts. These modules will be added to already existing training for blue collars, like training offered by companies (GBCe’s members) or training entities offering specific upskilling theoretical-practical courses for workers. The modules in video format that will be elaborated by GBCe will include strategies, tools and best practices on circularity, health and decarbonization, applied to the topics of the existing courses, which will be decided in close collaboration with the partner companies (for example on insulation, waterproofing, sealants, additives, adhesives and other chemicals) and training entities.
These videos will be included in the theoretical part (online) of these courses so that students can then put into practice what they have learned, in the practical part. The direct costs include the making and formatting of the video. – PL GBC: In person training for construction workers (from PLGBC member companies) on circular approach to construction activities. Other direct costs include the technical support for carrying out the practical activities within the training programme for blue collars. Blue collars training will be dedicated to construction workers, construction products’ manufacturers, installers(e.g. of windows, thermal insulation, HVAC systems,systemsfor building automation and performance monitoring, RES systems etc.) and the content will be focused on practical aspects of the WCRLZ concepts implementation into their work.
Among the topics that can be included in the scope of the training are: proper waste and water management on construction site to reduce the amount of waste generated and water usage, possible reuse of materials and other, proper installation of doors and windows and its influence on the building energy profile and other topics that will be identified as crucial. A detailed training plan, which will cover a much broader range of topics, will be developed in cooperation with experts involved in the process. In addition to that PLGBC plans to create a short video/spot, aimed at both white and blue collars, in which good practices and aspects of WCRLZ in construction will be presented in an interesting and accessible way. As part of T3.3, PLGBC plans to develop min. 10 separate one pagers – short documents in graphic form with the most important guidelines for a given category of performed works (e.g., guidelines for sorting construction waste).
The exact categories will be defined during the project implementation. Trained employees will receive one-pagers after the training in the electronic version. One-pagers will also be distributed by PLGBC among contractors, which can be printed and hung in appropriate places on the construction site so that blue collars can easily access, consult, and undertake appropriate actions. One-pagers will also serve us after the project is completed to further promote the right construction and modernization activities among construction workers. – GBC Slo: Current vocational training programs are not adapted to the new requirements of modern construction which requires modularity and industrialisation of construction and finishing works. The workers on the construction site are poorly trained, it is very difficult for them to acquire new knowledge which in most cases is offered by manufacturers of building materials. In the field of blue collar training there are no systemic solution, there are only initiatives of certain associations and related companies.
The complete absence of certain skills, which are necessary for the further development of construction industry, is detected. Lack of knowledge: about construction technologies, installations, handling of products, about cooperation between different profiles on the construction site, about recycled products, about handling of waste and resources, about machine application of products. Low qualification of workers, which is affected by poor recognition of competences. Limited sustainability training in vocational education and training programmes. Problems in the development of practical training. Complete absence of training on subject not prescribed at regulatory level. In person demonstration activities for the installation of efficient and circular materials and products.
Practical showcases of the application of technologies on sample wall sections: costs will include the purchase of building materials and implementation of building installations for educational purposes. White collar -presentation of technical topics that present the latest state of art, technical solutions as a design aid, innovations in the field of legislation. The presentations will be theoretical but will be closely related to a theoretical demonstration of the use of technology, product, or system. The expert meetings will be connected with other areas dealing with renewable energy sources, heating, cooling, ventilation systems. All topics will illuminate, help, and propagate sustainable and energy- sustainable construction. – GBC Croatia: Croatia Green Building Council’s training programme for construction professionals and workers will use the Level(s) Framework as a guide in developing the modules. Using the Level(s) Framework as a guide in developing the modules will ensure that the educational content developed by the Croatia Green Building Council is aligned with 12 Associated with document Ref. Ares(2023)4300034 – 21/06/2023 Project: 101121073 — LIFE22-CET-TOP CLeveR — LIFE-2022-CET EU policies and regulations, covers all aspects of sustainability, provides a common language and metrics, and focuses on performance rather than prescriptive solutions. The training will be conducted through a blended online/in-person approach. The online component will consist of educational webinars in several modules covering concepts of whole life carbon, assessment of Global Warming Potential, circular construction, and resource efficiency.
The webinars will be delivered in the national language to ensure that all participants can easily understand the content. Each module will cover a different aspect of sustainable construction, starting with the basics of whole life carbon and moving on to more advanced topics such as circular construction and resource efficiency. The modules will be interactive, with quizzes and case studies to help participants apply the concepts to real-world scenarios. The webinars will be recorded and made available online for participants who are unable to attend the live sessions. After completing the online component, participants will have the opportunity to attend in-person site visits and lectures for practical demonstration of technologies and solutions.
These site visits will allow participants to see sustainable construction practices in action and to ask questions of industry experts. One of the innovative elements of the Croatia Green Building Council’s training programme is the focus on incorporating young talents and women into the construction industry. The programme will include activities that facilitate their integration into the process. Additionally, the programme will offer technical support for carrying out the practical activities within the training programme for blue collars, which will help to ensure that the participants can apply what they have learned in their work. Another innovative element is the use of video-making services to record the online modules. This will help to ensure that the content is of high quality and easily accessible to participants. – GBC Hu: GBCHu has extensive experience in developing online and offline trainings.
We regularly cooperate with professional organisations like the Hungarian Chamber of Architects to roll out online trainings on sustainable architecture, and universities where we run courses on green building throughout the country. We have also started to set up company trainings for white collars. Building on this experience and using a lean approach to training development, we will involve our member companies in the construction and real estate sectors (including property developers, architects, contractors, material producers, facility managers, consultants) in the development process.
Together with our members a detailed analysis about knowledge gaps and the training needs of workers will be carried out to get an overview of current practices and key requirements for education and upskilling the outlined target groups (through questionnaires, interviews). Analysis also includes interviews with potential trainers. Based on the analysis, the outlines of the offline training courses will be developed and practically tested with our member companies. The results of the first training will be fed into the development of the trainings, allowing them to be further fine-tuned.
Digital tools will be used to support the trainings through live surveys and polls in order to make them interactive and include and test practical examples resulting from real life situations. The potentially used digital platforms and development needs will be researched during the analysis phase. Costs include the development of a digital training tool for live surveys and polls to support the training activity, and technical support for carrying out the practical activities within the training programme for blue collars. T.3.4 Workshop on training content assessment: Lead: GBCSlo (BEN) | Contributors: GBC Croatia (BEN), GBCe (BEN), GBC Italia (COO), GBC Hu (BEN), PL GBC (BEN) M18-M20 A final workshop will be held among consortium members to verify the results of tasks 3.2 and 3.3.
All the GBCs will check the alignment with the final programme and materials developed for white collars and the original learning objectives identified in Task 3.1. All GBCs will also share the activities prepared for blue collars, checking with the other partners if the training objectives are met by the activities prepared.