Standardized qualification framework for achieving energy efficiency training for BIM

The European construction sector is facing unprecedented challenges to achieve ambitious energy efficiency objectives and generalize near-zero energy buildings during an economic crisis that is dominated by reduced investments, and a search for cost effectiveness and high productivity. Moreover, the industry is experiencing a digital revolution and the Building Information Modelling (BIM) approach has been gaining interest across Europe. The member states of the EU have implemented many different approaches through regulations and maturity targets, which have to constantly face the traditional low-tech and informal practices of construction businesses. This fragmented sector is dominated by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). In addition, the qualifications of the current construction workforce are not good enough to satisfy the work-related demand. The main courses have concentrated on construction and design, while training courses target more technical participants. This research aims to leverage the take-up of information communication technology and BIM by introducing a significant upgrade for the qualifications of the EU construction workforce. This research aims to pave the way towards a fundamental step change in delivering systematic, measurable, and effective energy-efficient buildings through BIM qualifications to handle construction projects with a view to effectively address European energy and carbon reduction targets. It also aims to promote a well-skilled leading generation of decision makers, practitioners, and blue-collar workers in BIM for energy efficiency. The principal output of this research is a standardized qualification framework that includes: (1) a skills matrix related to BIM and energy efficiency, harmonized thanks to the European Qualifications Framework standard, to assess and support energy efficient handling of BIM projects, and (2) a skills map that will help to widely distribute the BIM skills required during the project lifecycle to achieve energy efficiency based on the Royal Institute of British Architects Plan of Work.