Within the second Work Package, the INSIDE-CoVE project has developed recently two complementary outputs: the Industry Needs Analysis Report and the Skills and Competencies Map. Together, they provide a comprehensive picture of the evolving skills landscape in the European construction sector and serve as a foundation for designing forward-looking vocational education and training (VET) strategies.
Industry Needs Analysis: Understanding Labour Market Shifts
The Industry Needs Analysis Report explores the transformation of the construction workforce across Europe, with a special focus on Spain, Germany, Ireland, and Greece. It identifies key trends in labour demand and emerging occupational profiles relevant to the sector’s green and digital transitions.
The report is based on:
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- A thorough review of labour market data, policy strategies, and sectoral roadmaps.
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- Analysis of current job requirements to extract information on EQF levels, educational backgrounds, responsibilities, and core competencies.
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- A structured mapping of occupations by Learning Target Groups (LTGs) and Thematic Areas such as energy efficiency, digitalisation, circularity, and transversal skills.
This work led to the creation of a comprehensive Competences Matrix, used to guide further developments in training and policy planning.
Skills and Competencies Map: Validation and Strategic Alignment
The Skills and Competencies Map builds on the previous analysis of industry needs and ensures its relevance and applicability, validated by a wide range of stakeholders from the construction and VET sectors.
Validation Process:
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- National validation workshops were held in the four participating countries.
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- Stakeholders—ranging from VET providers and sectoral associations to employers and public bodies—reviewed and endorsed the occupational profiles and skills structure.
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- Feedback confirmed the methodology’s suitability and highlighted the need to prioritise green, digital, and transversal skill integration into all occupational levels.
Together, these reports lay the groundwork for a European framework capable of addressing both current labour market needs and future transformation challenges in construction. Their findings are practically grounded and supported by direct input from regional and national stakeholders.
What Comes Next?
These outputs serve as a common reference framework for:
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- Curriculum co-development aligned with sector needs.
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- Modular pathway structuring that allows flexibility and adaptability in training.
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- The design of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) strategies for lifelong learning.
This work also supports the development of the European Construction Skills Map and contributes to EU level policy efforts to strengthen construction workforce capacity for the green and digital transitions.