July 29, 2022

Embracing modular Innovation and MMC in construction

Report published identifying industry demand for skills in offsite and modular construction utilising Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

Glasgow based EU-funded organisation, EMICGEM, interviewed over 80 companies involved in offsite and modular construction across the European Union.

The project was based on the sharing of best practice, commonality in benchmarking and standardising educator training, sharing of effective pedagogical approaches and resources, and the development of a European network of professionals working and teaching within the field of offsite manufacturing (OSM) education.

The results of these interviews were used to create their Competency Framework, highlighting the skill demands for individuals as well as thoughts on training needs, preferred delivery methods and other key issues.

The main aim of their research was to provide a robust evidence base of the likely nature of industry demand for skills in offsite and modular construction in Europe.

According to their research, the construction industry in Europe is experiencing an unprecedented period of rapid change, enabled by technological advances and socio-economic drivers. As the industry responds to these challenges including labour skills gaps, improving energy consumption and resource efficiency, digitising and modernising processes, and improving productivity; the need for a paradigm shift from traditional onsite construction to MMC is now.

Interviews were conducted with a sample of employers, manufactures, training
providers and stakeholders in each partner country: Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Spain and
the United Kingdom (Scotland).

The projects objectives are:

  • Design and implement an innovative training model and competency framework that modernises the delivery of offsite and modular construction.
  • Engage learners across the EU in innovative courses in the area of offsite and modular construction.
  • Develop and disseminate a suite of open online educational resources to support advanced vocational, education, training (AVET) practitioners in the delivery of industry standard and emerging offsite and modular construction practices.
  • Support local businesses, particularly small and micro businesses, to improve awareness and adoption of offsite and modular construction practices within their construction activity.

See: https://emic-gem.eu/index.asp

Download their report HERE.