During the previous Comenius-Projects all partners have realized that the students’ knowledge of style epochs and historical events is inadequate. Therefore all participants i.e. pupils and teachers of the twin schools agreed to gain special experience of the architectural history of their respective areas (e.g. Wolkenburg, Mariasdorf, Stadt Schlaining) concerning the different features of architectural styles. The project partners decided to choose a classical style wooden window of the ‘New Church’ in Wolkenburg. Three scale models were created by three different production technologies (3-D print, CNC, handicraft production). So the project members have been able to compare dis/advantages of the applied manufacturing processes and to draw conclusions about their usage in their future career. The main part of the tasks was carried out during the compulsory lessons and the meetings where the pupils took part. These three scale models have been exhibited in both school buildings after having finished the project. They should be used for display purposes and as teaching material for future pupils. Furthermore, the project members developed worksheets which can be used in the lessons about architectural styles. The designed material refers to certain historical buildings located in the surrounding area of the schools (ca 25 kilometres). Due to this project it was possible to receive a 3D printer which is used in the lessons e.g. for illustrating of constructions which has helped to improve the pupils’ technical knowledge. This interdisciplinary project has included different kinds of schools and subjects, i.e. vocational grammar school, vocational training and the practical vocational preparation classes. During the last few years there has been an increase of the numbers of foreign pupils in the vocational training. Travelling abroad would have been difficult because of their unclear status which also refers to pupils of the so called ‘German as a second language classes’. In general ca 50 pupils from both school were involved in our project. Because of the participation of different partners, vocational branches and pupils with various origins and status a really diverse thinking has been developed. In addition, similar epochs have been differently discussed and analysed. Multicultural views have been taken into consideration and all participants have extended their knowledge. The pupils of the twin schools presented their findings in a public vernissage in the home museum in Oberschützen (Austria) where local politicians and economic representatives were invited. Besides, the project was introduced during the ‘Open days ‘at school. A small video clip informed about content and course of the project. This has led to a better media competence of the participants. Further goals were promoting the pupils’ interest in terms of art and architecture in a historic context. Strengthening motivation, prevention of dropping off school and disadvantages, a better understanding for the local, national and European heritage are worth mentioning, too. Other intentions deal with an adjustment to the total criteria of assessment, the usage of modern computer- and production technology to clarify historic results and a better chronological classification. In conclusion, the basic idea of the project has been to raise the pupils’ awareness of our common European culture and history.

The construction industry is experiencing an unprecedented period of rapid change across Europe, wrought by technological advances and socio-economic drivers. As the industry responds to emergent challenges including labour skills gaps, improving energy consumption and resource efficiency, digitising and modernising processes, and improving productivity; the need for a paradigm shift from traditional to modern methods of construction has been never been greater. Offsite and modular methods of construction (OSM) have been utilised in different ways across Europe and have proven to be cleaner, safer and more productive than traditional building methodologies. Recent advances in technological processes have brought offsite methodologies into the mainstream, with the associated benefits of addressing the key issues identified above as well as providing a route to lower cost, affordable housing stock. Investment in a transnational collaboration presents an opportunity to accelerate the pan-European response to the education and skilling needs of the construction industry. The proposal is predicated on the sharing of best practice, commonality in benchmarking and standardising educator training, sharing of effective pedagogical approaches and resources, and the development of a European network of professionals working and teaching within the field of OSM education. The proposal is positioned within the field of higher education with a focus on developing advanced-level technical skills, thus our references to advanced vocational education and training (AVET) is synonymous with higher education.The project aims to modernise the delivery of off-site and modular (OSM) construction advanced vocational education & training (AVET) by developing an innovative training model and joint curriculum that provides a framework to benchmark the quality of delivery within the partner nations. Specific emphasis will be placed upon the digitisation of key processes as well as key agendas including decarbonising activity and improving energy efficiency, workplace safety practices and supporting a diverse and equal workforce.The objectives of this project are:1.Design and implement an innovative training model and competency framework that modernises the delivery of off-site and modular construction AVET by Feb 2022.2.Engage learners across the EU in innovative courses in the area of off-site and modular construction by Feb 2022. (2000 individual engagements through our platform)3.Develop and disseminate a suite of open online educational resources to support AVET practitioners in the delivery of industry standard and emerging off-site and modular construction practices by Feb 2022. (8 modules with 40 hours of learning content each; webinars and joint teacher training)4.Support local businesses, particularly small and micro businesses, to improve awareness and adoption of offsite and modular construction practices within their construction activity. (60 businesses engaged throughout project)Seven partners from five different countries (Spain, UK, Germany, Austria and Slovenia) across the European Union have joined this project. Our partners include AVET institutions in all countries as well as a European institute settled in Germany. Many of these partners have extensive links to the construction industry in our partner countries and an enormous amount of relevant experience. Most institutes have a long history of working on European projects.After initially reviewing the European landscape in off-site and modular (OSM) construction we will create a new course model and competency framework based on our research. This model will then be used to create course content that will be distributed online. We will disseminate this content on a dedicated platform and will host specific teacher training, industry engagement and multiplier events. The project proposes the development of open education resources, co-designed and co-delivered by the partners, which incorporate innovative teaching practices, high quality learning resources and a wide range of digital assets. The products of all intellectual outputs outlined within this application will be free at the point of access, open source, compliant with interoperability standards and available in the languages of the represented partner nations (English, German, Spanish and Slovenian). All digital content will be available on our platform EMIC-GEM.eu and will be optimised for transfer to other common digital platforms.The project will have a large impact on a number of construction AVET teachers, AVET institutions, construction companies and learners by offering new material, upskilling teachers, modernising course delivery and engaging businesses throughout the process.