Blended lifelong learning delivery: Lessons learned from a pilot study

Accessing learning opportunities while continuing to work full-time is a significant challenge for construction professionals. Many educational institutions are endeavouring to address the continuing learning needs of construction professionals in a more flexible manner. Integrating technology in the delivery of learning programmes focused on the needs of managers in the construction industry presents a new set of challenges both for individual instructors and for educational institutions. To bridge the gap between industry and academia each must embrace new and challenging roles. An Irish programme has attempted to integrate various technologies in the delivery of new programme focused the delivery of learning opportunities focused on full-time construction professionals. Some key lessons learned from this pilot blended learning programme in Ireland are outlined. How this will be integrated in an initiative which involves a number of partner institutions in Europe is presented.