Stimulating demand for sustainable energy skills in the construction sector

The focus of submitted proposals should be on the direct stimulation of demand for energy skills in construction. This is calling for the development, up-scaling and combination of a range of tools and initiatives, e.g.:

• Tools facilitating the mutual recognition of energy skills and qualifications in the construction sector: development of sustainable energy skills passports/registers for workers at regional/national level and support for their take up at EU level, mobile applications facilitating the comparison of workers' skills and qualifications between countries (e.g. by enabling the direct comparison of learning outcomes);
• National, regional or local initiatives raising awareness of home and building owners and tenants about the benefits of sustainable energy skills and providing financial incentives for renovations done using skilled workers/professionals;
• Support to public authorities for the development of new legislative frameworks, e.g. requirements for skilled workers in public procurement;
• Partnerships with producers and retailers of construction products (e.g. DIY stores) to raise awareness of the salesforce and of consumers about energy efficient products, skilled workers and good practice in construction/renovation;
• Initiatives reinforcing the link between skills/education and energy performance/quality of construction e.g. tools showing the reduction of the performance gap as result of an increase quality of the works.

Proposals need to be focused and are not necessarily required to address the whole range of professions and crafts involved in the building sector. They may however consider the entire design chain (e.g. manufacturers). If the proposal addresses specifically design, material life cycles and embodied energy shall be considered. Adequate consideration should also be given to improved appreciation of the end user's needs including the quality of indoor environment (thermal and visual comfort, acoustics, air quality, etc.) as well as improved operation and maintenance.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 0.5 and 1 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Based on results of the BUILD UP Skills initiative, in particular the National Qualification Platforms and Roadmaps, as well as the qualification and training schemes developed in various Member States, the challenge is now to act at market level and to support legislative changes that will stimulate the demand for energy skills.

The objective is to increase the number of skilled building professionals and/or blue collar workers across the building design, operation and maintenance value chain (designers, architects, engineers, building managers, technicians, installers, blue collar workers including apprentices, and other building professionals), with a specific focus on the engagement of SMEs. Recourse to skilled professionals/workers both for renovations and new constructions of buildings and district scale solutions should be made more attractive and easier for companies and home owners alike.

Proposals are expected to demonstrate, depending on the scope addressed, the impacts listed below using quantified indicators and targets wherever possible:

• Primary Energy savings triggered by the project (in GWh/year);
• Measurable energy savings and/or renewables production resulting from improved skills;
• Investments in sustainable energy triggered by the project (in million Euro);
• Increased number of certification schemes for energy efficiency skills;
• Improved mutual recognition of sustainable energy skills between Member States and neighbouring countries;
• Improved collaboration and understanding across different trades and professional groups;
• Increased market acceptance of sustainable energy skills;
• Legislative changes stimulating the demand for energy skilled construction workers/professionals;
• Demonstrated reduction in the gap between designed and actual energy performance through improved quality of construction.

Additional positive effects can be quantified and reported when relevant and wherever possible:

• Reduction of the greenhouse gases emissions (in tCO₂-eq/year) and/or air pollutants (in kg/year) triggered by the project.