WE-Qualify Training, specialization, certification

Acquiring knowledge and

skills for the energy

performance

improvement of buildings

in Cyprus

Final Report

WE-Qualify

partners

10-12 Lefkonos Str.

1011 Lefkosia

Tel. +357 22667716

email: info@cea.org.cy

www.cea.org.cy

CYPRUS ENERGY AGENCY

77 Kallipoleos Avenue

2100 Aglantzia

Tel. +357 22806000

email: info@kepa.mlsi.gov.cy

www.mlsi.gov.cy/kepa

CYPRUS PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE

30 Kosta Anaxagora & Lemesou Av., 3rd floor, 2014 Lefkosia

Tel. +357 22411411

email: cystandards@cys.org.cy

www.cys.org.cy

CYPRUS ORGANISATION FOR STANDARISATION

2 Anavissou Str.

2025 Strovolos

Tel. +357 22515000

email: hrda@hrdauth.org.cy

www.anad.org.cy

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF CYPRUS

8 Kerverou Str.

1016 Lefkosia

Tel. +357 22877644

email: cyprus@etek.org.cy

www.etek.org.cy

TECHNICAL CHAMBER OF CYPRUS

13-15 Andreas Araouzos Str.

1421 Lefkosia

Tel. +357 22867100

www.mcit.gov.cy

ENERGY SERVICE, MINISTRY OF ENERGY, COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND TOURISM

Contact For more information:

Please contact the coordinator of the project, the

Cyprus Energy Agency

10-12 Lefkonos Str., 1011 Lefkosia,

Tel. +357 22667716, +357 22667726

Fax, +357 22667736

Email: savvas.vlachos@cea.org.cy

www.cea.org.cy

Project website

www.cea.org.cy/we_qualify/

Disclaimer

The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with authors. It does not necessarily

reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither EASME (Executive Agency for Small Medium

Enterprises) nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the

information contained therein.

The project WE-Qualify and

the Build up Skills initiative

The WE-Qualify project «Improve Skills and

Qualifications in the Building Workforce in

Cyprus» is an EU co-funded project through the

«Intelligent Energy Europe» programme under

the European initiative «Build Up Skills».

The initiative aims in promoting the continuing

vocational education and training of workers in

technical occupations in the Construction sector,

as well as other relevant sectors related with the

installation and maintenance of energy saving

and renewable energy systems.

TARGET

The ultimate aim is to

increase the number of

qualified workers across

Europe to deliver high

energy performance

renovations as well as

new, nearly zero energy

buildings.

Energy Performance of Buildings

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires existing buildings to improve

their energy performance. In addition to this, it requires that all new buildings to be

nearly energy zero by 2020. This requirement has already been transposed to National

legislation by the Republic of Cyprus.

Furthermore, the Renewable Energy Directive establishes an overall policy for the

production and promotion of energy from renewable sources in the EU, including

schemes for accreditation of training and certification of installers of small scale RES

systems in buildings such as: biomass boilers and stoves installers, solar photovoltaic

installers, solar thermal systems installers and geothermal systems installers.

Photo: Konstantinos Charalambous

The majority of buildings in Cyprus have no thermal insulation as a result of the late

introduction of Thermal Insulation Regulations in 2007. According to the Statistical

Service of Cyprus, 54% of the existing building stock in Cyprus have no insulation, 43%

has only double glazing windows, 8% thermal insulation on walls and only 6% thermal

insulation on roofs. In contrast, a significant percentage of buildings (92%), have

installed solar thermal systems to cover their hot water demand.

BUILDING STOCK CHARACTERISTICS AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE IN CYPRUS

The construction sector in Cyprus

The construction sector in Cyprus is a growing sector responsible for 37% of the final

energy consumption.

Photo: Christos Christofides

The main types of heating

systems are central systems

with boilers (29%) and

individual stoves (39%). Also

17% make use of air

conditioning split units for

heating and a lower

percentage (7%) use fireplaces

or storage heaters (5%).

For cooling mainly split air

conditioning units are used.

SYSTEMS

According to the results of the Statistical Service’s survey around 53% of consumed energy in

residential buildings in Cyprus is used for heating and cooling and 6% for hot water demand.

These figures considered significantly high taking into account the mild weather conditions (during winter) and the wide spread installation of solar thermal systems to almost every

building in Cyprus.

Energy consumption in buildings

HEATING 45%

COOLING 8%

HOT WATER 6%

OTHER USES 31%

The higher demand for new skills in Cyprus is mainly for builders and plumbers

Skill needs According to the current National status quo and the «Roadmap» that has been developed within the Build Up Skills Pillar I

(www.buildupskills.org.cy), a lack of a sufficient number of skilled

workforce for the implementation of measures relating to the construction of energy efficient buildings has been identified.

Additionally a lack of appropriate training programs for the training

of the workforce has been identified

It was estimated that at least 4.500 employees need to acquire green skills in 13 different skillsets relating to the energy

performance improvement of buildings by 2020.

5 pilot training programmes

for technicians

3 new skills

Training of 125 technicians

Certification of 100 technicians

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

We-Qualify target

The main aim of the WE-Qualify project is to

assist the Construction sector in Cyprus to

overcome the skills gap of the workforce relating

to the construction of energy efficient buildings

but also to contribute to the promotion of

renewable energy technologies.

Skills Educational training programmes for the development of the following skills were

organized:

Skill 1: Installation of thermal insulation

Skill 2: Installation of thermopanes and exterior sunshades

Skill 3: Installation and maintenance of biomass boilers and stoves

Three training courses

were completed

regarding the

installation of thermal insulation systems:

24 hours of classroom

training

9 hours of hands-on

practical training

Number of applicants:

100

Attended: 71

Certified: 69

The poor thermal performance of existing buildings in Cyprus is also linked to the high percentage of energy consumption of buildings for

heating and cooling.

Skill 1 - Installation of thermal insulation

Skill 2 - Installation of thermopanes and

exterior sunshades

Even though a high percentage of buildings in Cyprus have

double glazing windows instead of single glazing, the majority of

them have no thermally insulated frames or appropriate sealing

to minimize thermal losses.

Technical solutions as well as construction techniques in order to

improve thermal protection of buildings, were among others the

subject of the training course for thermopanes and exterior

sunshades installers

One training course was completed

regarding the Installation of

thermopanes and exterior

sunshades

24 hours of classroom training

9 hours of hands-on practical

training

Number of applicants: 14

Attended: 7

Certified: 7

One training course was completed

regarding the installation of biomass

small-scale boilers and stoves

Approved by the Ministry of

Energy, Commerce, Industry and

Tourism (Κ.Δ.Π. 374/2015)

Cooperation with the Agricultural

Research Institute for the

practical training

31 hours of classroom training –

9 hours of hands-on practical

training

Number of applicants: 18

Attended: 14

The Renewable Energy Directive requires the accreditation of

training and certification of installers of small scale RES systems in

buildings such as biomass boilers and stoves installers.

Skill 3 - Installation and maintenance of

biomass small scale boilers and stoves

92 installers trained 76 certified

Certification

A questionnaire was prepared and was distributed to relevant organizations and institutions across Europe. The questionnaire was associated with existing systems of professional qualifications for the 3 skills carried out be the project.

List of criteria and requirements to be met by the trainers, trainees and the training centre.

Certification Rules for the educational

programme WE-QUALIFY.

The project WE-Qualify has responded to the needs of the Cyprus construction sector for qualified

trained installers and has given the opportunity to the participants to attend specialized and high quality training programmes.

The training programmes were organized by the WE-

Qualify consortium and took place at the facilities of the Cyprus Productivity Centre.

The participants who successfully completed the

training programmes, have significantly improved their skills and knowledge on the subject. In addition, with the WE-Qualify certification, they have achieved a wide recognition of their professional competence

and skills, competitive advantage and increased career advancement prospects, recognition and enhanced reputation in their field of work.

The names of the certified installers who have acquired the certification mark WE-Qualify, were published in a publicly accessible directory on the

project’s website.

Members of the National

Steering Committee:

Cyprus University of

Technology

University of Cyprus

University of Nicosia

Ministry of Education and

Culture

Energy Service, Ministry of

Energy, Commerce,

Industry and Tourism

Cyprus Employers and

Industrialists Federation

The National Steering Committee was established in order to consult and support the implementation of

the training programmes as well as to act as a link among the key stakeholders, the trainees and the

decision makers.

During the WE-Qualify project life the Steering

Committee has also supported the networking and dissemination activities making the activities and the

results of the project well known in Cyprus.

National Steering

Committee

A dedicated questionnaire was created, which was distributed to the trainees at the end of each training program.

A large proportion of the respondents indicated that the WE-Qualify project has improved their knowledge and skills.

The majority of the respondents believe that the acquired certificate will give them a competitive advantage in their work.

The insulation installers were in general satisfied with the training courses, however a number of them suggested to increase the hours of practical training

The majority of the respondents were satisfied with the timetable and the overall duration of the program.

Evaluation of training programmes

To what extend do you think

that the WE-Qualify certificate

can provide a competitive

advantage in the market

(applies to the thermal

insulation training course)?

Development of appropriate training material and practical tools

for trainees and trainers, providing all the necessary technical

information for each addressed skill

Development of Guides for trainers for each skill

Development of training methodology for each skill

Training presentations for each skill

Available in the project web-site (www.cea.org.cy/we_qualify/)

Training material

Main conclusions:

Education, lifelong learning and the creation of

certification schemes for craftsmen qualifications

provide quality assurance in the construction and

refurbishment of buildings, help to increase the

technical knowledge of the installers as well as,

increase in trustworthiness.

The regulation of occupations by law must be handled

with care and implemented where there is an

imperative public interest.

There is a necessity of a common reference point for

the whole effort or alternatively the use of the

System of Vocational Qualifications implemented

by the Human Resource Development Authority.

Need of updating or creating new Qualification

Standards which will incorporate issues of energy

efficiency in construction.

Need for cooperation of all stakeholders in order to provide the appropriate reference framework for the training and certification of installers for energy efficient buildings.

Roundtable discussion «Certified professionals in the fields of energy and

construction” (22nd June 2016)

Dissemination

Activities

The most important dissemination activities are listed below:

Meeting with the Director of Secondary Technical and Professional Education of the

Ministry of Education and Culture (9/1/2015)

Save energy fair «SAVENERGY 2015» (18-20/09/2015)

One day event with subject “Euro network supporting inovation for green jobs –

GREENET” (29/06/2015)

One day conference with subject «10 years of Energy Performance of Buildings

Certificates» (7/03/2016)

One day event “Passive house basics” (09/06/2016)

Qualicheck webinar (16/09/2016)

Save energy fair «SAVENERGY 2016» (30/09/2016-02/10/2016)

CYStandardDay 2016 (14/10/2016)

It was successfully held on October 31st, 2016 the final

conference of the project WE-Qualify with title: "Improvement of

installers skills related to the energy efficiency of buildings and

the renewable energy technologies."

At the day of the conference, with over 40 participants, the final

results of the considerably successful project WE-Qualify

were presented.

Furthermore, participants had the opportunity to be informed about

the new regulations refer to the installers profession in the sector

of RES as well as on technical systems and structural elements of

buildings.

43 qualified installers from the 3rd training programme on thermal

insulation and the 1st on biomass boilers and stoves were awarded with the WE-Qualify certificates.

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CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION MAINTENANCE INSPECTION

SETTING QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS IN CYPRUS

The WE-Qualify project has emerged between the 3 nominations for the most successful European Projects for the year 2016, in the Public Domain category, for the promotion of clean, safe and efficient energy in Europe.

The awards ceremony took place on the 14th June 2016 in Brussels, in the framework of the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW)

2016.

European Distinction

WE-Qualify «Improve Skills and Qualifications in

the Building Workforce in Cyprus»

Final Report - December 2016