BuildSkills Academy Establishes a Comprehensive Framework for Training and Professional Certification in the Construction Sector

The BuildSkills Academy project has achieved a major milestone with the development of its Certification Schemes for Curricula, Training Materials, and Individuals. Led by the Cyprus Certification Company (CCC) in collaboration with project partners, this framework lays the foundation for a standardized, high-quality approach to learning and professional validation across the construction industry.

A Structured Approach to Quality and Competence

The certification framework introduces 13 distinct schemes, each designed to ensure:

  • High-quality and relevant training content
  • Transparent and consistent assessment procedures
  • Recognition of individual competencies aligned with European and international standards

These schemes enhance the credibility of the training developed within the project and support the broader goal of professionalizing the sector through validated skills and knowledge.

Certification of Curricula and Training Materials

The first scheme focuses on the evaluation and certification of training curricula and materials, whether newly developed or enriched. It ensures alignment with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and adherence to rigorous quality standards. Key elements include:

  • Learning outcomes matched to appropriate EQF levels
  • Content quality that supports those outcomes
  • A formal certification process managed by independent technical and assessment committees

This process includes submission, expert evaluation, feedback, and certification, with ongoing obligations to update materials when significant changes occur.

Certification of Individual Competence

The remaining 12 schemes address the assessment and certification of individuals across key qualification areas, ranging from EQF Level 3 to Level 7. These schemes are aligned with ISO/IEC 17024:2012 and define:

  • Criteria for initial certification and re-certification
  • Evaluation procedures for both theoretical knowledge and practical skills
  • Responsibilities of certified professionals and the certification body (CCC)

The individual certification schemes cover the following roles:

  • EQF 3: Construction Safety Technician
  • EQF 4: Construction Technician, Energy Management Technician, Waste Management Technician, Digitization Technician, Installer of Energy-efficient Building Systems
  • EQF 5: Sustainable Urban Designer, Sustainable Urban Environment Designer
  • EQF 6: Health & Safety Risk and Reliability Practitioner, Bio-inspired Design Specialist, Circular Economy & Waste Management Specialist
  • EQF 7: Digitalization Expert in Sustainability

Supporting Sector-Wide Professional Development

Together, these certification schemes offer a coherent and transparent system for validating skills and qualifications in the construction sector. They serve as a practical reference for:

  • Certification bodies
  • Training providers
  • Employers
  • Learners and professionals

The full framework is detailed in Deliverable 3.1, available online as a guide for implementing certification schemes for both training content and individual qualifications.

Explore the full overview: Deliverable 3.1 | Online Guide | Certification Schemes for Curricula, Training Materials, and Individuals