BuildSkills Academy Introduces the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology to Support VET Providers
The BuildSkills Academy (BSA) project is taking a major step toward enhancing vocational training with the introduction of the BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology (BESM). This structured, research-backed approach empowers Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers to modernize their courses with essential green and digital skills, ensuring that training aligns with the evolving needs of the construction sector.
What Has Been Done?
The BESM was developed through a rigorous, multi-phase process that combined research, industry collaboration, and pilot testing:
- Research & Framework Development – BESM builds upon initial work on skills mapping and VET quality assurance, ensuring compliance with EQAVET standards and alignment with industry skill demands.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Validation – The methodology was co-developed with VET providers, industry professionals, and policymakers. It was refined through two virtual roundtables and six country roundtables to ensure practical relevance.
- Pilot Testing & Digital Integration – A self-assessment questionnaire was piloted across 12 courses within the BuildSkills Academy consortium. Based on feedback, a digital platform was developed to streamline the BESM practical implementation.
What Does the Methodology Propose?
The BESM provides a structured, three-step process for VET providers to enhance their courses with essential green and digital skills:
- Self-Assessment – A structured questionnaire helps VET providers evaluate their courses based on content, teaching methods, and assessment approaches.
- Skills Gap Identification – An automated gap analysis report compares existing course content against industry standards and highlights missing skills.
- Enrichment Process – BESM offers practical guidelines, best practices, and digital tools to support course improvement, ensuring that training programs remain relevant and future-proof.
This methodology is fully integrated into a digital platform – a user-friendly tool for VET providers to assess, refine, and enhance their courses efficiently.
Why Does It Matter?
The construction industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by sustainability goals and technological advancements. At the same time, workforce shortages and the demand for new skills continue to grow. The BESM directly addresses these challenges by providing a clear, structured framework that enables VET providers to:
- Adapt and modernize their courses to include essential green and digital skills.
- Align training programs with industry and policy demands.
- Ensure a high standard of education, incorporating innovative teaching methods like AR/VR and problem-based learning.
- Empower educators with a step-by-step process to enrich courses quickly and effectively.
- Support workforce development, equipping learners with job-ready skills for the evolving construction sector.
What’s Next?
- Introduction of the BESM Digital Platform, providing an interactive tool for course assessment and improvement.
- Further validation and refinement, with input from external quality experts.
- Integration into VET curricula across Europe, ensuring widespread adoption and impact.
Explore the full report, its scope, content and procedure here: BuildEnrichedSkills Methodology.
