Transnational VET training programme in the use of drones within construction-related activities

The Drones4VET project was conceived to address a critical gap in vocational education and training related to construction activities. Traditionally, VET training in this sector focuses on manual...

The Drones4VET project aimed to provide VET students, as the final beneficiaries, with the necessary skills and competences to successfully integrate into the labour market. By designing and implementing a training programme aligned with the current and future needs of companies, the project sought to improve the technical capacity of students while addressing the specific demands of the construction sector. The training programme was also tailored to incorporate the new requirements of European legislation, ensuring that students would enter the workforce with up-to-date knowledge in compliance with existing regulations. In this sense, the project also aimed to improve the competitiveness of companies in the construction sector by creating new high-skilled job opportunities in a traditionally low-skilled sector and training workers ready for immediate employment. Moreover, Drones4VET aimed to address the declining popularity of construction-related studies by presenting the use of drones as a modern and attractive career option. The project sought to inspire young people to pursue vocational studies in construction, revitalising interest in a sector critical to economic and societal growth.

The Drones4VET project implemented a series of interconnected activities designed to address the identified needs, achieve the project’s objectives, and ensure widespread impact, including: 1. State-of-the-Art Review (Transnational Report):each participating country conducted a comprehensive review to assess the needs of companies and identify good practices in the use of drones for construction-related activities. The findings were compiled into a transnational report, which served as a foundational reference for the development of the Drones4VET training programme. This report provided critical insights into current needs and future trends related to drone use in construction. 2. Development of Training Programme: an interdisciplinary training programme was designed to align with European regulations on drone usage in construction. Simultaneously, a handbook for educators was developed to enhance the capacity of trainers to deliver the programme effectively. These resources were tested through five pilot courses conducted across five EU countries, training a total of 100 VET students. The implementation of the training programme and handbook was evaluated from the perspectives of both students and educators. Feedback from this evaluation process informed refinements to produce the final versions of the training materials. To facilitate transferability across Europe, the final training programme and handbook were translated into four languages: Spanish, English, French, and German. 3. Communication and Dissemination: The project elaborated and implemented a dissemination plan to make its results accessible to a wider audience and promote the project results. This included developing a dedicated website and disseminating through the social media platforms.of partners, producing communication materials, videos and merchandise and engaging with other institutions outside of the consortium. 4. Multiplier Events: Five multiplier events were organised in all participanting countries to directly share project results with target groups, including VET institutions, construction companies, sectoral experts, and policymakers. These events featured participation from students and educators involved in the project, who shared their experiences, and the skills gained through the training programme. IMPORTANT NOTE: All the relevant documents from the project are available on the Drones4VET online repository, which can be freely accessed through this link; https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fR-Xufs-oFN411OhzeXstHakLeuZVU_i?usp=sharing

Based on the activities listed above, the partnership delivered the following outputs (Project Results), also aligned with the needs initially identified and the project objectives: The Drones4VET project successfully delivered a range of tangible outputs and impactful results, directly addressing the needs identified and achieving its objectives. - National Reports and Transnational Reports: Five national reports, one from each partner country, identified the training, regulatory, economic, and professional needs within construction-related activities. These reports were based on stakeholder engagement through extensive surveys, which received responses from more than 200 companies and 200 learners, adding up to a total of 453 participants. An overview of regulations, key figures, sector statistics and training offer in each participating country was presented, which founded the base for developing the subsequent project outputs. - Drones4VET Transnational Training Programme (PR1): A tailored interdisciplinary training was designed specifically for VET students in the construction sector. This programme was characterised by its transnational and practical approach, its alignment with market and regulatory needs, and its focus on enhancing students’ employability. The training programme was tested through the implementation of five pilot courses across the partner countries, training over 100 VET students. The 10 modules were jointly produced by the partners of the project and translated into English, Spanish, French and German. Modules include the following topics: Drone regulation, flight planning and reporting, drone dynamics and maintenance, flight simulator and practice, geolocation, photogrammetry, thermography, LIDAR (light detection and ranging) and pictures for expertise. - Handbook for Educators (PR2): This comprehensive guide provided educators with practical recommendations, tools, and guidelines on how to implement the training programme. It includes the overview of modules and lesson planning, the learning outcomes expected for each module, how to structure a lesson plan and integrate case studies, logistical tips in organizing indoor and outdoor sessions and the teaching methods and software recommended for the training delivery. The document has been translated and is available in English, Spanish, French and German. In addition to these main outputs, the project also delivered: Multiplier Events: Five dissemination events were organised across all partner countries, gathering over 150 participants in total. These events shared project outcomes with a broad audience, including educators, students, industry professionals, and policymakers. Communication and Digital Outputs: The project established a dedicated website, serving as a central communication tool and providing visibility to project outcomes. A promotional video of the multiplier event organised by CRN was released, as well as news and other relevant content.