COnstruction and DEmolition waste management training for Site MAnagers Erasmus Project

Project Title

COnstruction and DEmolition waste management training for Site MAnagers

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Open and distance learning; Environment and climate change

Project Summary

Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste is the largest waste stream in the EU, representing in terms of volume almost 30% of all waste produced. C&D waste have been recognised by the EU as a priority waste stream demonstrated by EC initiatives such as the EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol (2016), and the Circular Economy Package (2015). C&D waste has a high potential for recycling and reuse. Despite this, the level of recycling and reuse of C&D waste varies greatly across the EU, which often means that not only reusable materials are disposed in landfills, but also hazardous waste that may cause damage to the environment.

This has highlighted the need for upskilling of construction site managers to enable them to manage construction waste responsibly and increase their awareness of environmental priorities and technological advances. Site manger usually receive on job training which varies greatly in most EU countries. It has been obvious that skills such as supervision of on-site works (waste identification & separation), compliance with pre-demolition audits, execution of waste management plans, elimination of hazardous waste) are increasingly sought after in the labour market.

CODESMA aimed to tackle this challenge by delivering a modular VET course as an Open Educational Resources (OERs) addressing both EU priorities of the Circular Economy regarding waste management and modern training needs with flexible self-study, self-paced online course divided in manageable learning units and topics.

In particular, project objectives included: 1) Enhancing relevance of VET for site managers to address C&D waste management skills needs 2) Introducing modern training delivery methods and innovative open access pedagogical resources, enabling learners to acquire improved waste management skills related to C&D, and 3) Facilitating the integration of C&D waste management skills into EU certification & standardisation schemes.

The partnership comprised 5 organisations from 5 EU countries, including VET providers in construction, researchers, as well as learning innovation experts. CU brought extensive R&D in the education and training of construction professionals, as well as experience in the project management and participation in EU projects. PROMEA contributed as an expert in the development and delivery of innovative ICT-based training and VOOC, as well as in management of EU projects. PSMB represented the construction managers sector at EU-wide level, having close ties in standards setting and qualifications, as well as through bringing access to key players and lobbying relevant policy makers. VSRC and BZB brought practical experience on delivering VET courses & practices, contributing their expertise in developing job-specific training courses and delivering high quality VET material for the construction sector.

The CODESMA project produced the following results
VET sector validated learning outcomes for training provision in C&D waste management skills for site managers.
Training course structured in learning units suitable for VET level and guidelines proposal for course integration in VET.
Pedagogical resources and assessment tools for C&D waste management for site managers, offered as OERs.
CODESMA Vocational Open Online Course in C&D waste management for site managers delivered in all partners languages
A certificate supplement and a position paper to pave the way for the integration of C&D waste management skills into EU certification schemes.
Two workshops and two national info days to promote project results and validate all developed materials; the third infoday had to be cancelled as a result of the COVID-19, but all materials were prepared.

Finally, long term benefits of the project expected:
The uptake of project materials and open educational resources from relevant VET providers across the EU,
Participation of an increasing number of VET learners engaging with the course materials both as a self learners or within the VET .
Expansion of the strategic partnership towards a network of collaborating VET and sector stakeholders
Further maturing & development of national and EU VET policies influenced by CODESMA recommendations,
Cross border certification of skills acquired.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 318813,25 Eur

Project Coordinator

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Polskie Stowarzyszenie Menedzerów Budownictwa
• VIESOJI ISTAIGA VILNIAUS STATYBININKU RENGIMO CENTRAS
• HELLENIC SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGIES ASTIKI ETAIRIA
• BILDUNGSZENTREN DES BAUGEWERBES EV