Introduction:Technological advancement has led to the increased reliance on machines in place of human construction workers. Advanced robotic systems are becoming commonplace on construction sites, including autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. However, it is widely acknowledged that construction trades still require human skills thus creating working environment with high interaction between humans, advanced driven and autonomous machines and materials. As a result of these developments, the EU commission of Safety and Health has forecast that one of the greatest occupational safety risks will emanate from Machine-Human-Interactions (MHI) (EU-OSHA, 2016). Despite the efficiency gains of automation and robotics on sites, emergent MHI risks needs to be mitigated through improving workers training and skills in the perception and mitigation of risks related to their usage and interactions.More than 20% of fatal accidents is attributable to machine-human-interaction (MIA) on site within Europe (Eurostat 2014). The UK construction industry recorded 196 fatalities between 2012/13 to 2013/14 with 10% resulting from collisions with moving machines (HSE, 2017). Furthermore, the most commonly reported workplace risk related to the use of ‘machines or tools’, with ‘vehicle’ related accidents regarded as one of the top three self-reported risks by construction workers (HSE, 2017). In Germany, 54,440 notifiable, 1,676 serious and 52 fatal industrial accidents were as a result of vehicles (i.e. forklifts) between the years 2010 to 2014 (DGUV, 2014). Furthermore, there were 336 collision related accidents involving earthmoving equipment between 2008 and 2015 with 36 associated fatalities. In addition to fatalities, MIA has ergonomic implications including mental overload from monitoring Visual-Display-Units (VDU) to the operation of many complex controls which are a key feature of advanced machinery, equipment or robots (EU-OSHA, 2016).Consequently, despite the broader benefits of automation, there remains several risks associated with their application of advanced technology (i.e. robotics and automation) both to operators and other human workers interacting with these systems within the same workspaces. Despite safety features incorporated in machines and robots there remains a high degree of fatalities from their interactions with humans. Therefore, a construction worker’s ability to recognise hazardous situations is an essential skill for accident prevention. Self-regulation is therefore regarded as the last but most critical defence line in the elimination of accidents emanating from failures in safety systems incorporated in occupational machinery, equipment and robots.Many researchers have promoted ‘experiential’ learning for improving hazard perception as well as inculcating safe working training. However, it may be costly to expose workers to such risk for the purposes of training. Thus, safer training environments can be created through virtual reality (VR) and 3D simulation of real-life construction MIA scenarios for the purposes of training novices. These VR environments are now extensively used for cost effective and risks free training and upskilling through virtual representation of risky scenarios in which workers can interact with supported immersive technologies. Such simulations for safety have been successfully used in industries such as aviation that is recognised among the best in terms of safety. VR interactive applications will thus provide an opportunity for simulating the working conditions and identifying MHI associated risk of robotics and advanced machinery use in construction sites.Aim:The main aim of the project is the creation of a very innovative immersive and interactive training environment based on Virtual Reality (VR) technology to impart construction workers essential skills and education to interact with machinery and materials. Mobile phone based immersive application will be adapted to simulate real life construction scenarios with characteristics of use of robots and equipment for workers across Europe, particularly for the low skilled workers and disadvantaged groups, with low level of experience on sites with advanced machinery. Awareness of the risks and safety needs of automation is gradually becoming an essential skill in current and future workplace as a result of the complex interactions imposed by the associated machines and materials in the same work environment. It will allow different stakeholders from the construction sector (professional associations, unions, administration) to achieve the desired awareness and upskilling about the impact robotics and automation on health, safety and environment in the construction industry across Europe.

"The main objective of this project was to improve the quality of mobility processes in the construction sector for learners, staff and trainers in order, in the mid term, to increase the number of European mobilities for this target group .In order to achieve this global goal, we have set up a whole process around the mobile application, to the attention of apprentices, trainers and staff, to better understand mobility, in its preparation, its implementation and its follow-up while (linking current media, including social media).In fact, starting from the initial observation that workers and, in particular, the youngest ones must be more mobile than before to find job opportunities, young people must be well prepared before going abroad as part of a mobility process and preparation is the key to a good integration. It is important to guide them using the new information and communication technologies but also social media throughout their professional training. Learners, as well as accompanying persons (trainers or staff members), really feel that there is an ever greater desire to supervise them qualitatively. The result is a sense of security and trust that encourages more willingness to participate, which is obviously one of the main objectives of SoMEx - to increase the number of mobilities - using a more dynamic and modern way of doing things, including social media and taking into account the habits of the beneficiaries, who are, for the most part, ""digital natives"". The idea is to use ""up-to-date"" methods to facilitate the process and increase the quality of investments.To do this, we started the work with a research phase to determine the habits of our beneficiaries, in terms of social media use. To this end, we also relied on the work done in the framework of a previous project called Linguistic Reform, which included an analysis of the barriers to mobility, as well as the Euro-Dim project whose main theme is virtual mobility. Based on the results of these projects, a national and transnational analysis of the habits of our target group, we have created the ""Information Guide on the Use of ICTs and Social Networks for Trainees, Trainers and Staff"". VET in the construction sector "", a real starting point for our investigations for the creation of the SoMEx APP. Following this survey, we took part in a mobility observation to determine the real needs of our target group. Through surveys and observation during the mobility process of a group by country, we drew national and transnational conclusions through intellectual production 2 ""Recommendation for the improvement of existing mobility through the use of a mobile app that meets the needs of young people, trainer and construction staff ""by putting the point of attention on the different phases of a mobility journey: before, during and after.Based on these first two products, we then thought about and created our first version of the SoMEx APP (version 1), which we tested on a group by country according to a similar framework but improved based on previous experimentation (modification of the search tools for example). Following the analysis of the mobility path with the APP, interviews and observation, we drew our national and transnational conclusions. ""IOP 4 - Recommendation for version 1 of the appen mobility according to the needs of trainees / trainers / staff "". Based on these findings and recommendations, we have modified the SoMEx mobile app to meet the needs expressed during this observation. Once version 2 of the APP was created, we tested it again with the users by going to the field and developed the IO5: ""test of the product as part of the mobility process - APP version 2 ""On which we based ourselves to finalize the APP and get our final product:"" The Android application for trade in the construction sector "", ie, SoMEx application.The app and all products and achievements of the project are now available and free of rights on www.somexproject.eu (""results"" tab) in the 6 languages ​​of the partnership."

Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste is the largest waste stream in the EU, representing in terms of volume almost 30% of all waste produced. C&D waste have been recognised by the EU as a priority waste stream demonstrated by EC initiatives such as the EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol (2016), and the Circular Economy Package (2015). C&D waste has a high potential for recycling and reuse. Despite this, the level of recycling and reuse of C&D waste varies greatly across the EU, which often means that not only reusable materials are disposed in landfills, but also hazardous waste that may cause damage to the environment. This has highlighted the need for upskilling of construction site managers to enable them to manage construction waste responsibly and increase their awareness of environmental priorities and technological advances. Site manger usually receive on job training which varies greatly in most EU countries. It has been obvious that skills such as supervision of on-site works (waste identification & separation), compliance with pre-demolition audits, execution of waste management plans, elimination of hazardous waste) are increasingly sought after in the labour market. CODESMA aimed to tackle this challenge by delivering a modular VET course as an Open Educational Resources (OERs) addressing both EU priorities of the Circular Economy regarding waste management and modern training needs with flexible self-study, self-paced online course divided in manageable learning units and topics.In particular, project objectives included: 1) Enhancing relevance of VET for site managers to address C&D waste management skills needs 2) Introducing modern training delivery methods and innovative open access pedagogical resources, enabling learners to acquire improved waste management skills related to C&D, and 3) Facilitating the integration of C&D waste management skills into EU certification & standardisation schemes. The partnership comprised 5 organisations from 5 EU countries, including VET providers in construction, researchers, as well as learning innovation experts. CU brought extensive R&D in the education and training of construction professionals, as well as experience in the project management and participation in EU projects. PROMEA contributed as an expert in the development and delivery of innovative ICT-based training and VOOC, as well as in management of EU projects. PSMB represented the construction managers sector at EU-wide level, having close ties in standards setting and qualifications, as well as through bringing access to key players and lobbying relevant policy makers. VSRC and BZB brought practical experience on delivering VET courses & practices, contributing their expertise in developing job-specific training courses and delivering high quality VET material for the construction sector. The CODESMA project produced the following results VET sector validated learning outcomes for training provision in C&D waste management skills for site managers.Training course structured in learning units suitable for VET level and guidelines proposal for course integration in VET.Pedagogical resources and assessment tools for C&D waste management for site managers, offered as OERs.CODESMA Vocational Open Online Course in C&D waste management for site managers delivered in all partners languagesA certificate supplement and a position paper to pave the way for the integration of C&D waste management skills into EU certification schemes.Two workshops and two national info days to promote project results and validate all developed materials; the third infoday had to be cancelled as a result of the COVID-19, but all materials were prepared.Finally, long term benefits of the project expected:The uptake of project materials and open educational resources from relevant VET providers across the EU, Participation of an increasing number of VET learners engaging with the course materials both as a self learners or within the VET .Expansion of the strategic partnership towards a network of collaborating VET and sector stakeholdersFurther maturing & development of national and EU VET policies influenced by CODESMA recommendations,Cross border certification of skills acquired.

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.

<< Background >>Drones4VET addresses an identified gap in the training offered within the construction-related activities. To date, the education and training offer has solely focused on the mastering of the traditional techniques, mainly based in the manual and on-site surveillance, inspection and assessment of civil works, buildings and constructions sites. This approach to training has not in essence changed in the past decades. The advent of the new technologies, both from the point of view of the software/applications and the hardware/devices, has fundamentally altered the dynamics of the sector. Among these new technologies, drones are revolutionising the way of working of many companies in the construction industry as they begin to opt for aerial supervision (for both building and civil works), topography, cartography, preparatory works or even early-detection of anomalies of infrastructures. Embracing of these new changes is very important for VET students who want to guarantee their current and future employability and develop a successful career. With regard to the current situation, the trend among companies is to carry out in-house training actions for the professionals and not to outsource this task, mainly because the offer is very limited and, in many cases, not specifically tailored to their needs. Therefore, there is a remarkable need for training in these technologies for vocational training students. Moreover, a new European regulation (2019/945 – 2019/947) on the subject has entered into force at the beginning of 2021, introducing new rules and principles. As the regulation has been recently published, there is no bespoke and updated training deliver across EU or project in Vocational Training of similar characteristics within the Erasmus programme.The project partnership strongly complements the sector needs, with the participation of five reputed training centres across five different EU countries and a private sector research partner, with strong experience in technological learning and the development of training offers adapted to the needs of the companies. Together, these partners will collaborate and exchange their experience and expertise to develop targeting training modules focusing on transferring new competences and skills to better equip them for their integration into the labour market and to develop sustainable and successful professional careers in such a fast-changing environment as construction-related activities have become.In that framework, the Drones4VET partnership applies this project pursuing the following objectives:-Enhancing quality and relevance of the VET learning offer of the participating training centres and others across Europe by the designing and testing of an interdisciplinary and transferable training programme focusing on the use of drones within the construction-related activities, -Increasing VET students’ skills with regard to the different possibilities offered by the use of drones in the framework of the construction sector.-To connect students with today’s tools, opportunities and challenges of the mentioned sector.-Increasing employability and career development of VET students in general and of VET construction students in particular.-Increasing knowledge of the situation, prospect and trends of the construction sector at both national and EU level and exchange of expertise, skills and experience among the partners’ consortium.-Improving the digitalisation and sustainability of the construction sector by training skilled workers in the use of new technologies.<< Objectives >>Drones4VET will be mainly focused on VET students, as final beneficiaries. The project will allow them to be equipped with new and necessary competences for a successful integration in the labour market. The implementation of the Drones4VET training programme will significantly improve their capacity and skills according to market needs, as the programme will be particularly designed to meet the current and future needs of companies. The course will also be designed taking into consideration the new requirements reflected in the European legislation so the students will enter the labour market with the knowledge acquired in accordance with the legislation currently in force. In addition, the project wants to transfer all the results achieved to other intermediate entities across EU with the capacity of implement the training programme within their activities, such as other EU training institutions and sectorial associations with strong experience in technological learning and the development of training offers that provide vocational education training in the construction sector. Both the Drones4VET training programme and a handbook for educators will be made available to these centres and their educators and trainers in order to facilitate the implementation of the programme in their training offer.Drones4VET also wants to attract the attention of companies in the construction sector that are interested in integrating the use of new technologies in their portfolio of services. The programme will train workers for immediate entry into its workforce, improving the potential and prospects of these companies while generating new skilled jobs in a sector traditionally characterised by low-skilled workers.The project will serve as a highly attractive field that can help to motivate the general public, in particular young people, to start professional studies, in general, and construction-related studies in particular, which currently suffer from a certain lack of popularity and are not typically chosen by young people as a future career. In this sense, Drones4VET will convey to policy makers at regional and national level the need to increase the VET offer on new technologies and digitalisation as a way for job creation, to increase the potential of companies and, therefore, for the growth and social development of the European Union.<< Implementation >>Drones4VET will c the following activities: •A state-of-the-art review in each of the participating countries by taking into account the needs identified by the companies and the good practices of the use of drones in construction-related activities. This assessment will result in a transnational report which will serve as a working basis and reference document for the development of the Drones4VET training programme as it will contain relevant information about needs and future trends on the use of drones in general and in construction-related activities.•The design and elaboration of an interdisciplinary training programme adapted to European regulations on the use of drones within the construction-related activities. A handbook will be produced simultaneously with the aim of increasing capacity of educators and trainers to implement the programme. Both the training programme and the handbook for educators will be tested by the implementation of five pilot courses in five different EU countries where 100 VET students will be trained in the use of drones in construction activities.•An evaluation of the implementation of the programme and the handbook will be carried out from the point of view of students and educators. This assessment will allow the fine-tuning of these products in order to obtain their final versions. Both the final Drones4VET training programme and the handbook for educator will be translated into 4 different languages (Spanish, English, French and Germany) to facilitate the transferability across EU.•In this sense, the Drones4VET project will implement an intense communication strategy with the aim of publicising the project, its objectives and, above all, making its results available to any interested EU entity. This strategy will include the development of a specific web site and the use of social media, the production of a video and other dissemination materials of the project and a catch-up strategy to the media (general and sectoral) in order to increase the communication and the dissemination of the project results towards the target groups.•In addition, five Multiplier Events will be organised in five different EU countries with the aim of directly transferring the project outcomes and results to the different target groups identified. Both students and educators involved in the project will participate in these multipliers events to share their experience and the new skills acquired through the project with other VET institutions, companies of the constructions sector, sectorial experts and policy makers as well as to disseminate the opportunities the Erasmus+ Programme offers for VET in Europe.<< Results >>The Drones4VET consortium, composed of 6 public and private institutions from 5 EU countries (Spain, France, Ireland, Germany and Austria) with expertise in Vocational Education Training, will jointly develop two main project results:•A tailored training scheme, Drones4VET Transnational Training Programme, aimed at construction VET students, characterized by its transnationality, practicality, actuality, employability and the active participation and interaction of its final beneficiaries and stakeholders since its inception. The Training Programme will be tested by the implementation of 5 pilot training courses where 100 VET students will be trained in its different modules that make it up. • A handbook for educators that will include recommendations and tools on “how to implement the different modules of the training programme”, as well as guidelines for the follow-up and tutorship of the students participating in the programme. The handbook will include recommendations, tools, examples, tips and links co-related to the different modules to be taught and developed, including the profile of the trainers needed. It will be edited online, in order to easily update and improve it with new contents (tips, tools, links to downloadable gadgets).In addition, Drones4VET project shall also produce:•5 national reports (one per partners’ country) on the training, regulatory, economic and professional needs and challenges of construction-related activities. The diagnoses will be made starting from the realization of around 160 surveys and 5 focus groups to the final beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders and the collaboration of sectorial agencies, acting as regional support groups•A transnational analysis derived from the reports made at the regional level, which will serve as conceptual base for the design and development of the training programme•The formation of 5 national support groups composed of relevant stakeholders’ representatives, who will be participating in the validation of the diagnoses and the training programme, as well as in the training and dissemination actions•5 Multiplier events with at least 20 participants per event.•The project website, conceived as an essential element for project communication. It will be a key tool for interaction of final individuals and a vital element to display and give visibility of the project outcomes. The project shall be also present in main social media used by the project partners•A video will be also produced, showing testimonials of the final beneficiaries about their situation and their participation in the project actions