Construction Blueprint – Join Sectoral Skills Alliance!
The “Blueprint for a sectoral cooperation on skills” is a project funded by the Erasmus+ Programme aiming to develop a sectoral strategic approach for strenghtening the cooperation on skills in the Construction industry and thereby ensuring a better matching between the skills need of companies and those provided by the training schemes. The essential condition to get a sound implementation of the Skills Blueprint is to have a strong Sector Skills Alliance (SSA) between all the concerned stakeholders. It is an opportunity to connect stakeholders within and outside the project partnership to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences, with the aim of setting up a professional network with common interests and a shared goal, namely to improve the skills and competences in the construction industry. If you are interested to join the Blueprint SSA, please read more about it here!
4th European Education Summit
On 9th December, the European Commission will organise the 4th European Education Summit, which will look at the future of education and training in the European Union.During this event, several high-level panels will take place. In particular, Commissioner Nicolas Schmit will take part in the panel on “Inclusive education: A step towards a more equal and cohesive society”, which will address Vocation Education and Training, including the Centres for Vocational Excellence, as well as the issue of micro-credentials. Another panel will address education to environmental sustainability as well as the new Bauhaus initiative.The European Education Summit is the annual flagship event of the European Education Area, the EU’s shared vision for a modern and inclusive European education and training sector fit to face the digital and green transitions.
Cement shortage in Sweden leads to construction stoppage in the autumn
Cumbersome environmental permit processes are preventing many companies from expanding. In July, Cementa’s application for continued extraction of limestone to produce cement at the quarries at Slite, a site which accounts for roughly 75% of all cement used in Sweden, was rejected by the Land and Environment Court of Appeal. Now, Sweden is facing a widespread construction stoppage. An impact assessment carried out by our Swedish Member Byggföretagen shows that already by November, three-quarters of housing construction projects will be unable to start. In addition, several major infrastructure projects will be halted and 175.000 jobs in the construction sector alone would be at risk. The cement shortage might also lead to an increased dependence on imports from non-EU countries.Is this really the best way to reduce CO2 emissions ?