ARISE · Project

Digital Skills Passport and Micro-Credentials for Construction Energy Workforce

constructionTestedTRL 6

Imagine you hire a builder and have no way to check if they actually know how to install energy-efficient systems — their paper certificates are outdated and don't tell you much. ARISE built a digital skills passport for the construction sector, where workers earn verified micro-credentials as they learn BIM and energy performance skills. Think of it like a frequent-flyer program for professional development: you earn digital points (called CERTcoin) for each skill you master, stored in a personal learning account, and employers can instantly see what you can actually do.

By the numbers

consortium partners developing the skills recognition system

countries where the scheme was tested

total project deliverables produced

SME partners in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Construction companies across Europe face a growing skills gap in energy-efficient building practices and BIM technology, but have no reliable way to verify what workers actually know. Traditional paper certificates are slow to earn, hard to verify, and don't reflect the continuous learning needed in today's energy transition. This means companies either hire underqualified staff or waste time and money on redundant training.

The solution

What was built

ARISE produced 38 deliverables including a digital skills recognition scheme with maturity-based ranking, an e-learning materials repository for BIM energy performance, a CPD recognition pathway, and CERTcoin — a digital points system where construction workers earn credits stored in Individual Learning Accounts that can be exchanged for verified micro-certificates.

Audience

Who needs this

Construction firms needing verified energy-efficiency and BIM skills in their workforceVocational training colleges offering construction CPD coursesEnergy service companies (ESCOs) staffing retrofit projectsHR technology providers serving the construction sectorNational construction industry bodies managing skills standards

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Construction & Building Services

mid-size

Target: Mid-size construction firms doing energy-efficient retrofits and new builds

If you are a construction company struggling to verify whether your workforce actually has up-to-date BIM and energy performance skills — ARISE developed a digital recognition scheme with micro-credentials that lets you instantly check what each worker can do. Instead of relying on outdated paper certificates, you get a maturity-based ranking system tested across 8 countries with 9 partner organizations.

Vocational Training & Education

any

Target: Construction training providers and colleges offering CPD courses

If you are a training provider looking to make your construction and energy courses more attractive to working professionals — ARISE built an e-learning repository linked to BIM energy performance modules, plus a CPD recognition pathway. Workers earn digital CERTcoin credits stored in Individual Learning Accounts, making your courses part of a recognized European upskilling chain rather than standalone certificates.

Energy Efficiency Services

SME

Target: Energy consultancies and ESCO companies needing certified BIM-energy specialists

If you are an energy services company that needs to quickly staff projects with workers who understand both BIM and energy performance — ARISE created a competency-based qualification scheme with maturity levels. This lets you filter candidates by verified skill level across the entire construction supply chain, from blue-collar installers to white-collar engineers.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this cost to implement in my organization?

ARISE was a Coordination and Support Action, so the outputs are primarily the recognition scheme, e-learning repository, and digital credentialing system. Based on available project data, specific licensing or subscription costs for the platform are not disclosed. Contact the coordinator for current access terms.

Can this scale across my entire workforce and multiple sites?

The system was designed EU-wide from the start, tested across 8 countries with 9 partner organizations. The maturity-based ranking and Individual Learning Accounts are built to work across the entire construction supply chain, from installers to engineers. Scaling depends on integration with your existing HR and training systems.

Who owns the IP and can I license the platform?

As a CSA funded under Horizon 2020, the recognition scheme and e-learning materials were developed by a consortium of 9 partners. Based on available project data, specific IP arrangements are not detailed in the objective. The coordinator at Belfast Metropolitan College would clarify licensing options.

Does this comply with EU energy and construction regulations?

ARISE was funded under the LC-SC3-B4E-2-2020 topic, which directly addresses the EU's Buildings for Energy initiative. The micro-credential and CPD recognition system aligns with EU workforce upskilling requirements for the energy transition in construction.

How long does implementation take?

The project ran from September 2021 to October 2024, producing 38 deliverables including the recognition scheme, e-learning repository, and CERTcoin system. Based on available project data, integration timelines for individual companies are not specified but the platform and materials are developed and ready for adoption.

Can this integrate with our existing HR and training systems?

The system uses an open competency-based qualification scheme with maturity levels, designed to complement existing instruments and initiatives. The Individual Learning Account and digital points system suggest API or data export capabilities, but specific integration details should be confirmed with the project team.

Consortium

Who built it

The ARISE consortium brings together 9 partners from 8 countries, giving the recognition scheme genuine European coverage from day one. The mix includes 3 universities, 2 research organizations, 1 industrial partner, and 3 other organizations — heavily weighted toward education and research (89%) rather than industry (11%). Only 2 partners are SMEs. For a business looking to adopt this, the low industry ratio means the system was designed primarily by educators rather than end-user companies, which could be a strength for credibility but a gap for commercial usability. The coordinator is Belfast Metropolitan College (UK, public sector), a vocational education institution well-positioned for workforce training but not a technology vendor.

BELFAST METROPOLITAN COLLEGECoordinator · UK
CONSEIL DES ARCHITECTES D'EUROPEparticipant · BE
STICHTING ISSOparticipant · NL
PRIVATE SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION, INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENT, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ENERGY, SKOPJEparticipant · MK
TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY DUBLINparticipant · IE
INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TECNICOparticipant · PT

How to reach the team

Belfast Metropolitan College (UK) — reach the project lead through the ARISE project website contact page

Order a report on this consortium See BELFAST METROPOLITAN COLLEGE profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the ARISE team about adopting their digital skills recognition system for your construction workforce? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction and help you evaluate the fit.

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