Transfer of know-how from older construction workers to young ones Erasmus Project

Project Title

Transfer of know-how from older construction workers to young ones

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 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Open and distance learning; Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits)

Project Summary

1. CONTEXT/BACKGROUND
Traditional crafts in the construction sector, such as stonecutter, mason or carpenter, tend to disappear because of, among others, the transition from one generation to the next one caused by the ageing of the crafts workers and the current unattractiveness of the construction sector, which resulting in a lack of qualified workforce to do restoration works. However, restoration activity is increasing in Europe, being in fact the most important activity.
The development of learning resources about traditional techniques as a complement of vocational training would improve the response of VET system to market needs, increasing at the same time job expectations of youngsters and make the construction industry more appealing and sustainable.

2. OBJECTIVES
The project has two main objectives:
* Gathering knowledge and techniques about traditional processes in the construction industry related to the renovation of buildings, in order to avoid the loss of know-how.
* Training young workers in these techniques, to ensure a proper restoration of the traditional elements in old buildings in Europe.

3. PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS
As for the partnership, 6 entities experts in VET in the construction industry have participated in the project:

– FLC (Leader, Spain)
– BZB (Germany)
– IFAPME (Belgium)
– CCCA-BTP (France)
– CENFIC (Portugal)
– FORMEDIL-PUGLIA (Italy)

All partners belong to the “Network for the Vocational Education and Training in the construction sector in Europe”, RE.FORM.E (www.reforme.org).

4. METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES
The project methodology is structured along 24 months, planned in different activities which included specific activities led by one project partner. The working methodology to gather and exploit information has combined several qualitative techniques: observations, case of studies and semi-structured interviews.
Three phases have been set into motion to develop the project and its results:
A1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT. Quality plan.
A2. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION. Development of deliverables and endorsement by core key agents.
– Handy guide. European experiences in rehabilitation of buildings: Six case studies
– Map of skills. Skills needs identification for restoration of traditional architecture in Europe
– Training program. Rehabilitation of traditional architecture in Europe
– Open educational resource: App “Construction Inheritance”.
– Experimentation and external validation: pilot courses.
– Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
A3. PROJECT DISSEMINATION. Valorisation and sustainability

5. RESULTS
The main result of the project has been to gather and transmit traditional knowledge and building techniques, with the aim of training new workers concerning the restoration of old buildings in Europe. This collection of know-how has been transformed into learning outcomes that have been materialized in a training program and its corresponding open and digital learning resource – App -, which can be used by the VET system and/or in-company training. Also, the training program has been carried out under the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and the ECVET system to facilitate the accreditation of acquired skills, in order to enhance the acknowledgement of learning, also attained via non-formal and informal contexts.

6. IMPACT
– Trainees and apprentices, who may be able to acquire these skills by means of new technologies and increase their job opportunities in the sector.
– Building workers, who may increase their skills on traditional restoration and therefore their job opportunities in the sector.
– Trainers and VET providers in the construction industry, since they will have available an innovative training program with contents adapted to market needs.
– Strengthening and promotion of quality, transparency and mutual trust in VET in Europe.
– Higher coherency between labour market and the provision of VET, in order to get a better performance of youth employment and sectorial skills.

7. LONG TERM BENEFITS
– Fostering of VET European tools (EQF, ECVET), which will ensure a lasting and shared accreditation of acquired skills, encouraging the mobility of apprentices and workers in Europe.
– Improvement of the construction sector image through its modernization and attention to the architectural heritage in Europe.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 242466,95 Eur

Project Coordinator

FUNDACION LABORAL DE LA CONSTRUCCION & Country: ES

Project Partners

• CENTRO DE FORMACAO PROFISSIONAL DA INDUSTRIA DA CONSTRUCAO CIVIL E OBRAS PUBLICAS DO SUL
• Formedil Puglia
• COMITE DE CONCERTATION ET DE COORDINATION DE L’APPRENTISSAGE DU BATIMENT ET DES TRAVAUX PUBLICS
• Centre IFAPME Liège-Huy-Waremme
• Bildungszentren des Baugewerbes