INSIDE-CoVE: International Network for Sustainable and Innovative Digital Excellence in Construction Vocational Education

INSIDE-CoVE, is an ambitious project supported by the Erasmus+ Programme (Centres for Vocational Excellence), which aims to transform Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the construction sector.

The project brings together 26 partners from education, industry, and research across six European countries, with a shared mission to close critical skills gaps and equip learners with the digital, green, and inclusivity competences needed for the future of the built environment.

Responding to Urgent Sectoral Challenges

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector is undergoing a transformative shift as global urbanisation accelerates, and the building stock is set to double by 2060. With 75% of buildings in the EU still energy inefficient and construction responsible for 35% of total waste, the sector must urgently adopt circular and low-carbon practices. Innovations such as digital building logbooks and advanced reuse technologies offer up to 80% emissions reduction, but their uptake is slowed by a persistent skills gap.

INSIDE-CoVE directly responds to these challenges by developing VET programmes that align with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) levels 3–8. The INSIDE-CoVE Learning Target Groups (LTGs) extend to blue- and white-collar workers of the Architectural, Engineering and Construction sector.

Project Updates: Future-ready Skills Mapping

INSIDE-CoVE has surveyed stakeholders across Greece, Spain, Germany, and Ireland (the four COVE countries) to identify and validate current and emerging skills crucial to the green and digital transitions. The analysis confirmed the high importance of transversal skills, technological proficiency, and specialised competencies such as Sustainable & Low-Carbon Materials. Feedback gathered through interviews identified critical omissions in the initial framework, stressing the need for integrating skills related to Industrialised and Prefabricated Construction, advanced soft skills (like communication and adaptability), maintenance, and deeper policy literacy concerning frameworks such as the EU Taxonomy.

Building on the needs identified, consortium partners translated these strategic requirements into occupational profiles spanning EQF levels 3 to 7. These occupational profiles include emerging roles highlighting the shift towards data-driven and sustainability-focused positions. The OPs provide a modular foundation for training pathways, moving the project from strategic needs identification to practical training design.

To ensure curriculum relevance, the perspectives of trainees and students were incorporated. The core finding was a contrast between perceived importance and current knowledge levels. While learners generally rated all skills as moderately or very important, their self-assessed knowledge levels were significantly lower across the board. This pointed to a major knowledge gap, especially in digitalisation, process optimisation, and circularity.

The final analytical report of Work Package 2, systematically compared existing VET programmes offered by partner institutions in five countries against a comprehensive skill set. The conclusion was that current VET provision severely limits coverage of necessary skills. On average, VET programs only partially cover 37% of the required skills identified, with the average depth of coverage remaining low.

Next Steps

This consolidated evidence provides the essential roadmap for the project’s next phase, which will focus on designing targeted, modernised curriculum content.

More about the project: Website | Instagram | Facebook  | LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

ERASMUS-EDU-2024-PEX-COVE — 101194017, Partnership for Excellence – Centres of Vocational Excellence

Project Information:

  • Identifier: 101194017
  • Start date: 01 February 2025
  • End date: 31 January 2029
  • EC Contribution: €3,988,350.00

Partners:

  • BUILDING SYSTEMS INNOVATION CENTRE – EL, Coordinator
  • PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS AE – EL
  • UNIVERSITY OF MACEDONIA – EL
  • BUILDINGHOW TEAM IKE – EL
  • KYTTARO ENALLAKTIKON ANAZITISEON NEON – EL
  • TECHNIKO EPIMELITIRIO ELADAS – EL
  • MANPOWER EMPLOYMENT ORGANISATION – EL
  • ICERT INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS S.A. – EL
  • GNOSIS – MEDITERRANEAN INSTITUTE FOR MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (UNIVERSITY OF NICOSIA) – CY
  • ALGOLYSIS LTD – CY
  • TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE OSTWESTFALEN-LIPPE – DE
  • DAVID-ROENTGEN-SCHULE NEUWIED – DE
  • FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V. – DE
  • MELZER KÄLTE KLIMA LÜFTUNG GMBH – DE
  • FUNDACION LABORAL DE LA CONSTRUCCION – ES
  • INSTITUT D’ARQUITECTURA AVANÇADA DE CATALUNYA – ES
  • INSTITUTO VALENCIANO DE LA EDIFICACION FUNDACION – ES
  • GRUPO FEMXA – ES
  • SGS TECNOS, S.A – ES
  • TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE SHANNON MIDLANDS MIDWEST – IT
  • WATERFORDWEXFORD ETB – IT
  • LIMERICK AND CLARE EDUCATION AND TRANING BOARD – IE
  • LAOIS AND OFFALY EDUCATION AND TRAINING BOARD – IE
  • IRISH GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL – IE
  • EUROPEAN BUILDERS CONFEDERATION – BE
  • EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM – BE