Construction - Pan-European Partner-Finding Webinar - VET

This pan-European partner-finding webinar will bring together UK vocational education and training (VET) organisations and European counterparts to explore opportunities for collaboration across the construction sector. The event will support the development of a skilled, innovative and sustainable workforce, aligned with the UK Industrial Strategy and the need to improve construction productivity, address skills shortages and support the transition to a low-carbon built environment.

The construction sector is undergoing significant transformation, driven by the adoption of modern methods of construction, digital technologies, environmental targets and the growing demand for energy-efficient buildings. High-quality vocational education and training is essential to preparing learners, apprentices and the existing workforce for these changing requirements and supporting innovation across the built environment.

The webinar will provide a platform for UK colleges, training providers, awarding bodies, construction employers, sector skills organisations and other stakeholders to connect with potential European partners, share expertise and identify opportunities for transnational cooperation.

Key themes may include modern methods of construction, green construction skills, retrofit, energy efficiency, renewable energy installation, building information modelling (BIM), digital construction, sustainable materials and off-site manufacturing. Other areas may include electrical installation, plumbing, heating and ventilation, heat pump installation, roofing, carpentry, bricklaying, site management, health and safety, apprenticeships, work-based learning, employer engagement and innovative approaches to curriculum development and workforce training.

With the UK set to join the Erasmus+ programme in January 2027, the webinar offers a timely opportunity to establish European partnerships, explore learner and staff mobility, and develop collaborative education and training projects. Participants will be encouraged to identify shared priorities and prepare for relevant KA1 mobility and KA2 cooperation opportunities and application deadlines in 2027.

Partner Matchmaking: How to Prepare

We will facilitate partner matchmaking through breakout rooms and Padlet. Please come prepared to share the following information:

• Organisation profile: A brief introduction to your organisation, key contact details and a link to your website.
• Project interests: Are you interested in a KA1 learner or staff mobility project, or a KA2 cooperation partnership?
• Sector specialisms: Which areas are you interested in exploring? For example, retrofit, renewable energy, modern methods of construction, BIM, plumbing, electrical installation, carpentry, roofing, sustainable materials or digital construction.
• Partnership opportunities: What expertise, facilities, training programmes, employer links or project ideas could your organisation contribute to a European partnership?

The webinar aims to build lasting UK-European partnerships that connect vocational education and training with construction industry priorities, support future Erasmus+ opportunities and contribute to a skilled, resilient and sustainable construction workforce.