The Build UP Skills Italy will identify a national qualified training system able to improve the competences of workers needed to reach the "nearly zero emission buildings" objective. The project will focus not only on the continuing education of workers in the field of buildings /blue collar, but also on the development of new training curricula aligned with the European Qualification Framework and the European Credit system for VET. To achieve these ambitious objectives the stakeholders have been divided in two "levels" consisting of partners directly involved in the roadmap definition, and "associated partners" involved in the roadmap validation and implementation. The roadmap will consider the existing complex Italian situation, whereas the European legislation on energy saving is first implemented at national level through the Ministry of Economic Development, and is put into operation at regional level. Also different associations develop their own VET with different rules and objectives. The partners will identify the changes needed to reach a unique qualification/certification schema accepted by the stakeholders and based on existing best experiences, both at EU and national level.

The consortium consisting of 9 participants: 5 regional planning and administration institutions, 1 public commercial institution and 3 professional building associations representing 89 companies and more than 900 construction experts and professionals, have submitted the proposal in order to create preconditions for overcoming barriers and identified skills gaps in the various professions involving low-skilled workers, in order to meet the 2020 targets in the building sector.

Main activities to be provided are as following:

•Analysis of national status quo.

•Identification of stakeholders, promotion of their involvement, and establishment of national qualification platform.

•Elaboration of the national qualification roadmap and the action plan.

•Endorsement of National qualification roadmap and action plan at national, regional and local level.

•Participation in EU exchange activities.

Relevant stakeholders: Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, State Service of Education Quality and vocational schools are already approved their involvement in the action.

The European Commission-funded project in Lithuania BUILD UP Skills – Lithuania (Lithuanian built environment sector specialists training and development initiative to increase energy efficiency of buildings and structures at the national level) is implemented by the State Enterprise Statybos Produkcijos Sertifikavimo Centras (Certification Center of Building Products), Lithuanian Builders Association, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Kaunas University of Technology and Innovation Management Regional Centre. The main objective of the project is to ensure the proper training and qualifications of blue collar workforce in construction required for the construction of energy efficient buildings and efficient use of renewable energy sources’ technology. The project should develop the qualification training guidelines with the action plan to the year 2020, with quantitative identification of the demand for skilled workforce of corresponding qualifications, qualification training measures, priorities and funding needs, certification procedures, etc. The project duration is 18 months. Implementation of the project began in June 2012.

Fact Sheet LuxBuild2020

Benefits:

To train the blue collar workers in order to improve their skills.

To strengthen the national economies by strengthening the SMB of the building sector

To motivate building clients by improving the qualities of energy efficient buildings and installations of RES

Duration: June 2012 – December 2013

Budget: 300 000 Euro (EU contribution 90 %)

Contract number: IEE/12/BWI/420/SI2.622872

Summary

LuxBuild2020 prepares Luxemburg’s building sector in general and especially the blue collar workers for the EU 20-20-20 targets by developing a qualification roadmap for craftsmen. The roadmap will focus on how to build up sustainably skills and how to face the workforce shortage in the building sector.

The national consortium manages the process of developing the national roadmap. The national platform allows all stakeholders to contribute to the roadmap. The members of the platform participated in a series of 5 workshops, a kick off and a final meeting. The roadmap is based on the results of these workshops.

LuxBuild2020 improves the continuing training for craftsmen, like e.g. training of cross-over skills, in-company training, practical training units and visual training material. Furthermore LuxBuild2020 creates a “culture of change” in order to motivate the blue collar workers to participate in continuing training and to motivate the management to send the workers to the training.

The project also considers the specific situation of Luxemburg. From 2017 on AAA-houses (approximately passive houses) will be obligatory for new residential constructions. Round about 25% of the blue collar workers are educated in the Luxemburgish VET. The majority are frontier workers of the Great Region (Germany, Belgium and France) or immigrants from southern or eastern European countries. This heterogenic workforce must be respected in the skill gap analysis and in the training programs. An enquiry analyses the existing skills on building-sites and the special needs for innovative training methods (multilingual situation etc.).

Project’s results

Result 1

Awareness rising for the drawbacks and opportunities of the building sector

The status quo analysis presents all available data on the building sector. This objective overview initiated already a mind changing process by pointing out the drawbacks and the opportunities of the sector. On demand of the IEE-initiative the numbers of 14’500 additional workers until 2020 was estimated. Especially this number and the fact, that only 150 craftsmen per year are trained by the IVET provoke an increasing interest in the LuxBuild2020 project and the development of the national roadmap.

During the election campaign several politicians quoted the report on the status quo to explain their political ideas

Result 2

National qualification platform and stakeholder engagement :

The creation of the national qualification platform for craftsmen is a very important result of the LuxBuild2020 initiative. Most stakeholders wish to continue the platform under Pillar II, because they consider the platform as a helpful way to consent on the improvement of the qualification of craftsmen.

Total number of organisations participating in the platform: 16

- from the vocational training sector: 5

- from the building sector: 6

- from the energy sector: 4

- from the employment sector: 1

Number of meetings organised: 7 in 7 months

The roadmap represents the results of the workshops of the national platform. The stakeholders had the opportunity to point out their burning questions and to contribute to the development of the roadmap. This participative method of developing a solution was highly appreciated by the participants of the workshops.

The platform will continue under Pillar II with probably 2 meetings per year. During the platform meetings all stakeholders will be informed about the progresses on the implementation of the roadmap measures. Barriers can be discussed and open points form Pillar I will be developed further.

Result 3

National Report on training needs and gaps (status quo report):

Number of workers involved in the (construction/building/craftsmen and other on-site workers): 40’413

Number of workers requiring training: 1800/year until 2020

Number of workers currently trained: 1341 in 2021

Professions with the highest needs: construction (bricklayers), carpenter/roofer, installer, electrician, plasterer-façade specialist.

Result 4

Qualification and training roadmap:

Training program for air tightness and ventilation

Training program for cross over skills

Training program for coaches in the companies

Result 5

Endorsement process:

- The Federation of craftsmen will create a Centre of excellence for craftsmen

- The Federation will be member of the consortium under Pillar II

- Collaboration between the consortium and the INFPC (national institute for continuing professional training) in order to promote the training programs and state aides

- The national Platform will continue its work under Pillar II

Lessons learnt

Lesson 1

Luxemburg’s building sector has to face challenges until 2020. An objective and detailed status quo analysis helps to understand these challenges.

The better these challenges are communicated the more stakeholders are motivated to find solutions.

Lesson 2

The EU-project type of a national project inscribed in a European frame is very effective and helpful approach. European commune objectives often have to be solved on national level. The approach to think on a European level and to act on a national level is very productive and adapted to the objectives of the Buildup skills initiative.

Lesson 3

Target-oriented process, highly effective because of clear structure given by the project, organised in a short period.

Participative workshops are much more interesting than “information meetings”

Key endorsers and commitment

Endorser 1

Organisation: Federation of craftsmen:

"commitment":

- create centre of excellence

- become partner in the consortium under Pillar II

Endorser 2

Organisation: INFPC

“commitment”:

- support in promoting the training programs for the building sector

- closer collaboration with the building sector

Endorser 3

Organisation: OAI

“commitment”:

- member of the national platform under Pillar II

Country Data Comments + Reference to Status Quo report (page) Construction sector

Number of building on-site workers and craftsmen (+ data year) 40.413

(Data year): 2012 (Status quo report page: 67)

Number of on-site workers and craftsmen trained per year through Initial education (IVET) (+data year) 159

(Data year): 2012 (Status quo report page: 127 )

Number of on-site workers and craftsmen trained per year through Continuing education (CVET) (+data year) 1.341

(Data year): 2012 (Status quo report page: 124 )

Estimates of additional building on-site workers and craftsmen needed in the sector by 2020 14.500 (Status quo report page: 127 )

Number of building on-site workers and craftsmen requiring up-skilling on EE and RES by 2020 13.300 – 15.500

(Status quo report page: 129 )

3-5 occupations with the highest numbers of workers requiring up-skilling on Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Energy Sources amongst building on-site workers and craftsmen

- Construction (Builder)

- Electrician

- Heating and sanitary

- Plasterer – façade specialist

(Status quo report page: 129 )

Number of additional trainers needed (Status quo report page: - )

Last updated: 23.01.2014

The main outputs of the project were two reports namely:

National Status Quo report: This gives a snapshot of the current situation in the building industry with a focus on matters related to energy efficiency and RES. This report was essential as it enabled the partners as well as the stakeholders to better understand how the building industry operates and the barriers which prevent the industry from given greater importance to training and to energy efficiency.

The aim of the report is to map the vocational education and training (VET) provisions available locally as well as the skill gaps in the workforce for the green construction industry. The strategies to increase awareness of the cost benefits and investment in renewable energy sources and energy efficient practices have been analysed.

The report was based on the collection of primary data which consisted of interviews with a variety of industry professionals. The secondary data was collected through academic research, reports commissioned by the European Union, governmental departments and other institutions. Results have shown a lack of data about the green construction industry and low levels of awareness about RES and EE systems and the advantages of their use. Although the benefits are widely understood, the lack of awareness has caused companies to be cautious in investing in the relevant training. A sector composed of micro companies further aggravates this issue, as training would cause considerable strain on their human resources and financial capacities.

The other significant observation is related to inadequate enforcement of existing legislation. If enforced effectively, particularly Energy Performance certificates, this system could have a pronounced positive impact on the industry. Increases in both employment and economic activity would take place, together with a reduction in the energy demand of buildings.

Accreditation of the current workforce and the creation of a licensing system to easily regulate training of tradesmen could also be very beneficial to the industry. These would simplify the employment process, ease the comparison of skills and ensure attendance to CVET if required for the reissuing of the license.

On the basis of the outcome of the status quo report, it is estimated that between 523 and 698 workers per year over seven years will need to receive some form of training related to energy efficiency or renewable energy sources. This is considered essential to better enable Malta to meet its energy targets. Most of the training will be for the occupational profiles identified as part of the BUILD UP skills project but there will also be other occupational profiles which will receive some form of training at least on cross-cutting generic green skills.

Roadmap for Energy Training: This sets out the strategy and action plan for bringing the knowledge, skills and competences of construction workers to the level that will allow them to produce low energy buildings meeting the latest requirements and, therefore, contribute significantly to Malta’s energy reduction targets. It addresses not only the training and qualification issues, but proposes the associated measures required for successful implementation of the training.

The Roadmap for energy training has five main objectives:

1. Investigate EU policy documents, legislation and directives focusing on low carbon buildings and associated VET skills

2. Identify the knowledge, skills and competences needed for low carbon buildings

3. Evaluate critically the low carbon skill gaps that exist within the local VET scenario

For the first three objectives, the outcome is a skill gap analysis for six specific occupational profiles.

4. Analyse the barriers that might hinder local VET provision towards low carbon buildings. These have been structured into five main themes.

5. Formulate recommendations of how VET may be carried out to achieve low carbon buildings. Nine main recommendations are drawn up and for each a rationale and specific actions measures are proposed.

Consultations with stakeholders: Throughout the process, every effort was made to involve stakeholders, both public and private, by means of the Building Industry Consultative Council but also by means of seminars and one-to-one meetings.

The project is considered to be a success because of:

• Increased awareness amongst stakeholders on the need for training programmes and that these should be carefully planned to maximise their effect.

• Increased appreciation in the building industry of the importance of making building energy efficient

• A better understanding by policy makers and the building industry that energy target objectives will be compromised if workers are not properly trained.

• More networking between policy makers, vocational training institutions and building contractors.

The project aims to provide National directions in the country towards implementation of European strategy target 20/20/20 in the energy and building sector.The organization of the actions is presented in these following steps:

- Status quo Analysis of exiting law and by-laws that concern to energy efficiency and renewable energies and how they meet EU requirements. It will provide data about gap between EU practice and national legislation.

- Analysis of the all qualifications and professions in the construction sector needs to be taken into consideration in the project actions since they have big influence in the field of energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energies and they have to be selected for further training. Special focus shall be given to skills gap analysis as main pillar in prioritizing of build up skills activities and roadmap preparation.

- Establishment of national platform with institutions interested in achieving national strategic goals and roadmap for qualifications and targets groups that have to be included in the process of knowledge transfer.

- Preparation of the roadmap according template provided by EU authority will be devised by project team which will be composed of partners’ representatives.

- Endorsement of roadmap by Institutions joining National platform, are organized in the two steps: - roadmap endorsement by non-governmental institutions (private sector companies, associations and educational institutions) using conferences, round table and direct contacts, and - endorsement from the governmental institutions, managed by the Steering committee.

Project results

- Involvement of 5 public institutions, 10 private companies form building sector, 3 secondary schools, two faculties and 3 private training providers in the process of establishment of platform and road map preparation

- 50 Institutions joined to National platform

- Endorsed road map by private sector companies, educational institution, professional association, government and Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia. Organized 3 conferences with 100 participants from contractions sector, 3 round tables with educational institutions

- Roadmap endorsed by 50 institutions

The Norwegian consortium consists of public authorities in the areas of construction and energy policies and organisations within the Norwegian construction industry. Norway has taken due note of the role of energy efficiency and RES and the large contributions expected from the construction sector. It is also expected that the building codes will be even more ambitious 10 years on from today.

Therefore, the Norwegian construction sector needs to be ready to deliver buildings new nearly zero-energy as well as renovations offering a high-energy performance. The activities in the national consortium will be organised by the Low-Energy program, which is an established national co-operation program between public authorities and the construction industry to increase competence on energy efficient building and the use of RES in buildings. An important part on the activity will be to describe the current situation with regard to competence, education and training. On this basis, national qualification roadmaps and other measures that will ensure the continuing education and training of the on-site workers in the construction sector and close the gaps, will be developed and endorsed.

In contributing to the achievement of ambitious objectives of the energy and climate package, the building sector has a major role to play. Shaping energy policy should always entail measures to improve energy efficiency of buildings as the building sector covers over a third of the EU energy demand. In Poland, the building sector is responsible for 42% of the total energy consumption and up to 30% of this energy is consumed by the residential sector. Therefore, this sector should be more touched by activities towards energy efficiency improvement and RES sources deployment. Poland had approximately 13.8 million housing units in 2005 and this amount is constantly increasing coming in 2009 to the total number of 14.3 million units. Although there are measures to improve energy efficiency in Poland in the residential sector, its energy consumption is excessive, reaching 2-3 times higher levels than in Western countries with a similar climate. This project will support meeting these targets through setting up the framework for the national training and qualification scheme for workers in the construction sector in the field of efficiency energy and RES technologies in buildings.

This project aims at bringing together the Portuguese stakeholders related to craftsmen working on the building sector and installers of energy systems, including those based on renewable sources; establishing a national platform of engagement and setting up a national roadmap driving the training process until 2020 and beyond. The project team – LNEG, DGEG, ADENE and ANQ - give support to the national authorities in energy, education and training and, therefore, have the potential of gathering in this action the relevant national stakeholders from industry to social partners, as well as training institutions to crafts associations. The project work is developed at three different levels. The starting point analysis and the roadmap definition are performed at core team level. But contacts with stakeholders will be promoted from the beginning, in order to engage them in the National Qualification Platform (NQP), thus, constituting the second level. In NQP working sessions, the action plan is discussed in terms of trainees, trainers, courses, quality monitoring, incentives and drivers. Dissemination and endorsement will involve all relevant stakeholders.

The project will address qualification needs for the construction sector as a first step in order to support the development of a national strategy for Romania, including recommendations for the certification, qualification or training of craftsmen involved in energy efficiency and installers of RES systems in buildings. The project will also analyse the need to adapt the existing professional and university training curricula to reflect the new qualification needs. The intended approach is to gather in a common platform all relevant stakeholders, inbuilding and training sectors in Romania, and to work together in a consultation process with a view to define a coherent strategy and roadmap to embed training on intelligent energy solutions for buildings in the mainstream curricula and practice of building professionals, taking into account the expected contribution of the building sector to the national 2020 targets and the requirements for nearly zero-energy buildings. Based on the active involvement of the key actors, it is envisaged that the final national roadmap is endorsed by relevant authorities and stakeholders with a commitment to carry out and implement the proposed strategy