Water scarcity is a serious problem for many regions of Europe with some 45% of European territory expected to face water scarcity problems by 2030, where damages caused by floods may increase five-fold by 2050. This is driving growing attention and increasing regulation on water efficiency and water management across Europe, being particularly important in cities and buildings in general, given the estimated water savings of 30%, with consequent reductions on energy and CO2 emissions (“The Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources”). The implementation of water and energy saving measures requires adequate training, capacity building and qualification of construction professionals, sustained on reliable and independent accreditation schemes attesting technical knowledge and social competences, towards market recognition and confidence. The project “WATTer Skills” aimed to develop, implement and propose a common curricula, qualification framework and accreditation scheme at the European level, for training and skills upgrading of construction and green professionals on water efficiency and water energy nexus for construction and retrofit in buildings. The harmonised water efficiency and water-energy nexus competences in building construction and retrofit, was achieved with two proposed qualification frameworks: the water efficiency technician (WET) and the water efficiency expert (WEE). This was materialised in 4 intellectual outputs (in 5 languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Greek): IO1 - Setting the Perimeter and definition of the WATTer skills map, IO2 - European Qualification Framework, IO3 - Training Courses Curricula, Contents and Pilots and IO4 - Accreditation System based on European Qualification Framework and European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training, supported by 2 Handbooks with the training contents (six competence areas corresponding to 100 lecture hours for the WET and 4 competence areas corresponding to 50 lecture hours for the WEE) 5 transnational meetings (3 in-person and 2 online), 9 multiplier events (7 training pilots with 144 attendees and 60 lectured hours, 1 Infoday with 28 participants and 1 Final conference with more than 100 participants), the presence at 10 dissemination events (oral communications, poster presentations and scientific publications) and numerous parallel dedicated meetings with the national advisory boards and stakeholder groups. As project outcomes, it can be highlighted the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding by all partners, with a Roadmap of the WATTer Skills follow-up activities, namely the compromise of all partners in continuing the work on the possible integration of the proposed accreditation framework into the national catalogues of the consortium countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece. In Portugal, another project outcome already guaranteed is the approval of the “long term strategy for building renovation” (Resolution of the Council of Ministers No 8-A/2021 of 3rd of February 2021), where it is stated that the qualification frameworks produced by the WATTer Skills consortium will be promoted. In addition, ADENE is making the effort to include this topic in the agenda and events of the current Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

CONTEXT The demand of equal opportunities is one of the main focus to improve as a society. However, the construction industry remains a predominantly male enclave, despite the efforts made to make it inclusive. Today, there are signs of a cultural shift in the industry and women can be found in high-skilled occupations, such as engineers or architects, being still scarce the percentage of women working on construction-site (9% average UE). What are the real obstacles to women entering and remaining in different construction occupations? Some individual, market and social difficulties have been identified: *Intrinsic barriers: women don’t see themselves as construction workers.*Labour market barriers: low recruitment of women; poor visibility of women's professionals. *Sectoral barriers: sector's inability to attract women and young people. In addition to above blockades, it could be also mentioned the inappropriate provision of training, as well as employment and working conditions, which also determine the male-oriented shape of the construction industry. OBJECTIVES In order to contribute to overcome the barriers explained above, Women can Build tries to re-envision the vocational training towards an equal construction industry by achieving the following objectives: *To provide gender-oriented measures to main actors involved. *To enhance women sensitivity towards this sector.*To re-envision the training focus approach in VET providers and trainers. *To establish guidance measures to enterprises towards a gender awareness-raising and balance. ACTIVITIESVarious activities have been carried out to achieve project's objectives and contribute to remove existing barriers to women's access to the construction sector: 1. VET trainers' overview on gender-equality status quo and gender-sensitive MOOC (Massive Open Online Course)2. Learning by-doing: immersive experience for women to attract women to the construction sector3. Role models/testimonies of women in construction sector, as a fundamental element to change social imaginary4. Guidelines for VET centres to provide a training offer better addressed to women5. Definition of an action plan for companies to encourage the recruitment of women in the sector6. Dissemination actions for awareness raising (social networks, events, media, etc.)PARTICIPANTSThe project has addressed 4 direct target groups and 1 indirect: 1 Women: testimonies and course (100+43)2 Trainers of construction sector: survey and MOOC (500+90) 3 VET centres: survey (292)4 Enterprises: survey (60)5 Stakeholders and society in general: dissemination (4.187.174) All in all, we have addresed 1.085 participants directly benefited by project activities, as well as 4.187.174 potential recipients. METHODOLOGY The project has used a participatory methodology, aimed to target and involve, on the one hand main beneficiaries that have participated directly in the activities, and on the other hand relevant key players that provide feedback and endorse results. Also, the combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques has gotten the most out of different sources, allowing sound and supported conclusions and recommendations. Besides, the holistic approach of the project based on the three pillars recommended by the European Insitute for Gender Equality (EIGE), which are education, sensitizacion and dissemination, allows its transfer to others sectors alike and countries with similar difficulties. RESULTS *Provision of new educational approaches with a gender-oriented approach*Encancing access to training for all: MOOC for trainers and immersive training experience for women*Dissemination of inspirational stories of women in the sector (role models). *Awareness raising among constrution enterprises and sector in general for women recruitment*Favour social inclusion, especially the labour integration of women in the construction market*Valorisation of the construction sector and improvement of its social image. IMPACT The project has obtained a very high impact, with many relevant stakeholders interested in the project and its results and with many news and references on media (press, radio and even TV), as well as a lot of participation in dissemination events and professional fora. This high project’s impact within the sector and its organisations has been possible due to the presence of large and relevant VET providers, which are mainly formed by employers' associations and trade unions and/or public institutions. Moreover, the European dimension of action has fostered social innovation and impact at EU level exceeding the initial expectations. POTENTIAL LONG-TERM BENEFITSThe findings may guide organisations to develop and implement policies, strategies and initiatives geared towards attracting, integrating, supporting and motivating women who are, or wish to be, employed in historically male-dominated occupations in the construction industry.

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is one of the heaviest and most voluminous waste streams generated in the EU, accounting for approximately 36,4 % in total EU waste generation. In this framework, EC established guidelines, priorities and initiatives such as the EU CDW Management Protocol and the application of the Circular Economy Strategy which strongly demonstrate a strong will at EU level to raise awareness and build knowledge in the field of sustainable use of resources and efficient waste management. The transition to an efficient CDW management and to a circular economy is -inter alia- bringing important structural changes in the construction sector, which will have to adapt and anticipate the needs for skills and competences in these areas.Within this scope, CDWaste-ManageVET objective is to promote VET for workers on construction sector by addressing modern training needs in accordance with EU priorities regarding current CDW management rules and circular economy. Through CDWaste-ManageVET project, a modern and innovative e-training VET program will be developed, based on Vocational Open Online Course (VOOC), tailored to labor market needs and targeted to bridge the skills gap and shortages in CDW Management by upskilling the existing workforce and equipping people in constructor sector with the necessary skills to effectively manage waste.Additional objectives that project anticipates to meet are namely the following:•To enhance opportunities for integration into labor market and create the conditions for developing human capital capacity and career opportunities, through integrating free accessible VET.•To strengthen the participation of representatives of education and training providers, as well as construction sector stakeholders exchange information and good practices in order to draw recommendations on the evolution of such skills and jobs.•To empower cooperation between educational institutions and business, as a result of combining theoretical & practical training.On this ground, CD Waste-ManageVET priorities, strongly in line with EU priorities, are:•Developing partnerships aiming at promoting work- based learning in all its forms, through developing new innovative training content (the CD Waste Management curricula) which integrates a work-based learning component in an on-the job-training basis to promote the application of knowledge in practical workplace situations.•Open education and innovative practices in a digital era, through integrating in the CDWaste-ManageVET VOOC Open Educational Resources (OERs) that ensure easy and free access on-line training which will be transferable to any interested party throughout Europe.Participants in the project will be directly or indirectly benefited from its activities and outputs. Namely, min 90 VET learners will develop sector-specific skills that will respond to the evolving changes due to the challenges of a circular economy, among them 30 VET trainees will be benefited through their participation in a small scale internship/mentorship programme and min 18 VET providers will enhance new training programs by integrating project outputs.The main tangible results of the project will include: Industry Driven Analysis and Best Practice handbook/ CDW Management VET curricula (CDWaste-ManageVET curricula) with a stimulated WBL component/ CDWaste on-line training platform/ Report on final training program.CD Waste-ManageVET project activities and Intellectual Outputs will have a desired Impact on both direct and indirect target groups, including increased career opportunities for the construction workers and their better integration in a greener, evolving labor market will be achieved. There will also be created a positive image of local enterprises who promote sustainable CD waste management and there will be raised awareness about innovative learning tools.At national level, good regional practices will be spread and applied and there will be increased number of trainers professionally equipped with transferable didactic concepts. At EU level, better cooperation between the regions concerning participative learning projects will be achieved, better contacts and synergies will be created between the partner regions and capacity of professionalism of VET providers, trainers and educational sector will be increased. Last but not least, increased cooperation among representatives of education and training providers on one hand and construction sector stakeholders on the other will create a very positive impact.The above-mentioned activities and outputs will be developed through a partnership coming from 6 EU countries (France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Greece, Romania). The geographical distribution of the partners allows to have a good overview of the learning needs at EU level, whereas the partnership’s expertise in education, VET, business, sustainable development, dissemination activities will ensure high quality project results.

REFORME PLUS is a 36-month ERASMUS+ project that brought together 7 vocational training organisations from 6 European countries belonging to the transnational REFORME network and supported by the social partners of the construction sector. All the project partners are leaders of national or regional networks and bring together a total of more than 300 initial and continuing training centers in the construction sector.The REFORME PLUS project partnership is composed of :- CCCA-BTP (FR- leader) : http://www.ccca-btp.fr/- BZB (DE) : www.bzb.de- CENFIC (PT) : http://www.cenfic.pt/- Center IFAPME Liège Huy Waremme (BE) : http://www.centrelhw.ifapme.be/- FLC (ES) : http://madrid.fundacionlaboral.org/- FLC ASTURIAS (ES) : http://www.flc.es/- FORMEDIL (IT) : http://www.formedil.it/Our organizations are facing the same challenges: the constant need to promote apprenticeship training (or alternation depending on the country) in the building and public works sector, to work on the attractiveness of its branches, its trades and the associated careers. To do this, they must constantly improve the quality of the training provided and of training courses in general. In addition, we have all been involved for several years in international development, through mobility and cooperation projects. This allows us to pursue many objectives, in particular:- the internationalization of our young people's careers (and their skills, employability, openness, etc.);- the professionalization of our teams and the development of their skills, especially in teaching;- pedagogical innovation in our establishments, adaptation of our training to the needs of the job market.This non-exhaustive list allows us to measure the benefits of cooperation between our institutions. REFORME PLUS has allowed us to give a framework to the development of these collaborations, to strengthen our network and its activities and to increase the internationalization of our teams by involving them in the activities and mobilities of the project. The exchanges of practices, experiences and know-how and the learning activities have mainly focused on the following three themes:- Improving the image and attractiveness of apprenticeship in the construction sector by focusing on successful careers in the sector.- Increasing the quality of training: pooling and exchanging good practices for European cooperation in order to guarantee the quality of training and training paths delivered by REFORME partners.- Developing new types of mobility: in particular with regard to tutors in companies; and long-term mobility (at least 2 months).These three objectives could only be achieved by involving the main actors and vectors of change present in the training centers and in the companies: training managers, trainers and mobility coaches and company tutors/mentors. This is why the REFORME PLUS project planned five learning activities addressed to these participants for a total of 45 mobilities and at least as many local participants. Due to the impossibility to travel during the health crisis and especially during the second half of the project, 1 learning activity could be held face-to-face (Mobility of the 2 Spanish partners in France); 1 other was organized at a distance (Virtual mobility of the French partner in Belgium). They gave rise to 21 physical and virtual mobilities and mobilized a minimum of 27 local participants.These activities were composed of workshops and information and exchange sessions on the three themes mentioned above, aiming at developing and promoting the internationalization of the participating institutions.In addition, 4 transnational meetings were held; 3 face-to-face and 1 remote during the covid period. They gathered a total of 50 participants and made it possible to work on the three stated themes, including each time the intervention of an external expert on a given theme.REFORME PLUS has thus contributed to strengthening the links and exchanges between the partners of the Reforme network. The exchange of practices and the perspective generated by the interventions and workshops have fuelled the partners' reflections on these different subjects. The participants in the two learning activities greatly appreciated sharing and confronting their needs and issues, which are often common across borders, but in different contexts.

At the origin of the project, several surveys conducted by observation structures of construction trades in France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom showed a mismatch between the expectations of the companies and the nature of trainings for middle management on sites. In addition, analyzes demonstrated difficulties in recruiting team leaders and sites managers, not because of the shortage of manpower in general, but often for lack of training sufficiently adapted to the evolution of these functions.This is why the partners reviewed, updated and experimented the training courses concerned, so that they match more to the evolution of standards, organizations and operating procedures on site, in accordance with the wishes of the economic world and in relation with the profile of the candidates available to be site manager or team leader. 9 organizations took part in the project:•8 training centers for construction trades (4 national networks : CCCA-BTP (FR) – coordinator, FLC (ES), Formedil (IT), Cenfic (PT) and 3 regional networks : IFPAME (BE), BZB (DE) and FLC Asturias (ES) and a local center : Warrington Collegiate (UK)),•A research organization specialized in training engineering and validation of learning outcomes (IBE (PL))The partners realized the following productions:•Identification of the transversal skills of the team leaders and site managers desired by the companies and their matching with the training available,•Formulation of the training contents for team leaders and site managers grouped in 9 thematic blocks and 43 training units (with the evaluation criteria) that can be grouped into larger blocks of training,•Accuracy of training methods and tools adapted to the objectives and contents of the targeted trainings, aiming the individualization of the training and support process of the learners,•Design and life-size experimentation of a transnational model for the validation, recognition and transparency of the learning outcomes from the training courses designed and implemented by each partner. These main productions were accompanied by numerous ancillary productions: progress reports, national analyzes and methodology tools (annexes 15-27).In addition, the partners organised:•8 results dissemination seminars (Infodays) specifically dedicated to the project that brought together training professionals, representatives of social partners, researchers, institutions and representatives of companies,•Communication actions during meetings and seminars not specific to the project but concerning its target audiences (board of directors of partners training organizations, professional days, trade fairs for vocational guidance, technical meetings concerning other partnerships for skills),•Publications, mainly digital, on their websites as well as on www.constructyvet.eu about the life of the project and the available productions.Common productions can be adapted to the specific contexts and objectives of each partner, in terms of contents, teaching and evaluation methods. The intention was to propose a model allowing each organization to take a step back from its national references, to integrate the good practices and to select those which can be the most useful. Annex 1 contains a summary of the project phases and a list of productions. Annex 2 presents its progress over the time.Key figures:•Interviews in the companies: 112•Learning units designed : 43•Experimental sessions implemented : 59•Number of participants in the experimental sessions : 782•Number of Infodays: 13•Number of participants in the Infodays: 286ALL THE ANNEX ABOUT THIS PROJECT ARE AVAILABLE ON THIS INTERNET ADDRESS : http://www.reforme.org/2018/10/31/constructyvet-project-mission-accomplished/