Authors

Paulo Carreira - Instituto Superior Técnico | Website, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram Profile
Andrew Hamilton - Belfast Metropolitan College | LinkedIn Profile
António Aguiar Costa - Instituto Superior Técnico | LinkedIn Profile
Eduardo Rebelo – Belfast Metropolitan College | Linkedin Profile

(Note: opinions in the articles are of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the EU).

Introduction

Skills value goes beyond just technical competence. They are an assembly of tangible and intangible abilities that inform a professional and influence life, career and indeed enable social mobility.

Skills can be a catalyst for social and vocational mobility, allowing individuals to move up the social ladder and improve their socio-economic status. By acquiring valuable skills, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds or marginalised communities can break the cycle of poverty, gain access to better job prospects, and improve their quality of life.

In article #6 of the Currency of Skills series, Eduardo Rebelo, Andrew Hamilton, Aguiar Costa and Paulo Carreira explore how skills are the currency of mobility, providing sufficient financial acumen for the learner to overcome vocational isolation and reach new areas of employment. The authors examine not just the how but also the why of lifelong learning being critical in life, in that it allows us to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the job market. Skills that were in high demand a decade ago may be irrelevant today. By continuously updating our skills and knowledge, we can ensure that we remain competitive and employable.

In today's fast-paced world, the importance of lifelong learning cannot be overstated. The rapid advancements in technology and the ever-changing job market require individuals to continuously update their skills and knowledge to stay relevant. Lifelong learning is not only crucial for personal growth but also plays a significant role in social mobility. By investing in our skills and embracing lifelong learning, we can unlock a world of opportunities and propel ourselves towards a brighter future.

Improving social mobility

Some of the great levers of social mobility are access to Education and Recognition of Qualification and/or skills. These open possibilities to better paid job roles, and/or new or more job opportunities. However, the path of training and upskilling, especially in the construction industry, is often outside the traditional academic route (Degrees, Masters, etc).

An individual’s route is sometimes an ad hoc mix of skills obtained from years of experience, and interaction with other professionals, possibly in combination with a set of more formalised training such as apprenticeships, and continuous professional development actions. This is particularly relevant for blue-collar workers, but also white collars who chose an early full-time working career, limiting their time and flexibility to continue further on a traditional path of Higher Education.

For these individuals, their skills may sometimes be hard to track, and record, and therefore be recognised by others when evaluating an individual CV. This is emphasised further when considering job mobility across different EU regions. This can be an impediment for improving social mobility.

ARISE, the key to increased social mobility

Having this in mind, ARISE contributes to the social mobility aspect by not only providing access to training in enabling digitisation tools that help the AEC professionals achieve more energy-efficient building but also by prototyping a means of recognising and certifying skills. ARISE tests a comprehensive certification scheme of digital badging, based on a Framework which is harmonised with recognised expertise, tasks and qualification learning outcomes; and distributed into micro-learning modules.

This helps to equalise the AEC industry, by offering a viable and flexible way to help those disenfranchised to find a suitable and bespoke upskilling path, while testing a recognition way that is suitable, and that could be accepted by Industry stakeholders, across different regions.

The ARISE project presents a multifaceted scheme that targets 6 key principles that contribute to increase mobility

1. Holistic Development

2. Equal Opportunities

3. Social Inclusivity

4. Lifelong Learning

5. Employability and Economic Growth

6. Empowerment and Confidence

Active, Agile Learning

With the advent of technology, online learning has gained significant popularity. According to a report by Research and Markets, the global e-learning market is expected to reach $325 billion by 2025. Online platforms provide convenient access to a wide range of courses and resources, making lifelong learning more accessible than ever before.

The ARISE project is developing the art of engaging online learners in collaborative, active learning environments that stimulate and inspire, by:

1. Developing digitally collaborative environments.

2. Empowering and stimulating learners to engage.

3. Assisting learners to leverage active learning to its full extent.

4. Generating active learning space in the digital environment

5. Creating the intersection between cohort-based learning, social learning, and active learning.

6. Driving the evolution of the collaborative digital/traditional learning space.

Holistic development

The ARISE approach and framework focus on an holistic development of skills. It focuses not only on technical skills but will also de facto improve soft skills such as communication, adaptability, and critical thinking. These are transferable skills that can enrich an individual and be useful as he moves between/and to different areas and roles. Microbadging assists in acknowledging and certifying these diverse skills, helping individuals to showcase their overall abilities, and improving their employability and social mobility prospects.

Equal opportunities

The flexible nature in subjects, pathways, and time/ duration; the current free availability and a business model that will keep costs affordable, promotes equality and equity, by offering opportunities. For career growth and social advancement for individuals of all backgrounds. This will help bridge the skills gap, for those individuals, as previously mentioned, who have valuable skills via experience, or other informal learning: and for whom starting or continuing a path of traditional Education wasn’t an option. This type of traditional pathway can be a barrier for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, therefore, ARISE has aimed to provide an inclusive certificate that recognizes a broad spectrum of skills and empowers people from various walks of life.

Social inclusivity

Skills can provide a pathway for upward social mobility, narrowing the gap between different social strata and promoting social equality. Social mobility skills are the specific abilities and attributes that can contribute to an individual's upward social mobility. These skills empower individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds or marginalised communities to overcome barriers, improve their socio-economic status, and achieve greater opportunities.

Interlinked and based on the equal opportunity aspect, the ARISE certification scheme promotes social inclusivity because it acknowledges a broad range of skills, and by valuing this diversity, and by providing and recognising skills that are not just limited to a formal education. A more inclusive society requires that opportunities are not limited just to traditional education credentials, but to be based on the actual skills required for an individual to carry out a professional role in a knowledgeable, effective, and successful way.

The structure of ARISE Framework, which is skills-based, and on tasks and subtasks will facilitate learning to this target audience. ARISE also allows for individuals to enter at different points of knowledge and build their way up. And caters for learners with lower levels of education, This opens the opportunities for socially disadvantaged individuals who may not have had the opportunity of a more formal and higher educational trajectory with modules aimed at lower EQF levels, and then a build-up to higher levels.

Lifelong learning

A subject previously approached, but also associated with social mobility. ARISE scheme promotes continuous learning and can be adaptable and bespoke to everyone. By fostering a culture of lifetime improvement and adaptability, ARISE encourages professionals to constantly upgrade their skills and stay relevant in an ever-changing market/industry. In this case and presently, ARISE covers current market benchmarks, with respect to industry 4.0 in the AEC, digitisation, BIM, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency; but also hopes to create the self-initiate of learners to uptake training in future trends and market shifts too, which will increase their chances of upward mobility.

The gamification aspect of the ARISE platform encourages progression in learning. The 24/7 availability of training promotes self-planning, and the adoption of learning methodologies such as flipped classes, project-based learning, Performance-Based Assessment, among others, promote autonomy and are contributors to an improvement and adaptability ethos. Lifelong learning enables personal growth and development. It expands our horizons, broadens our perspectives, and enhances our understanding of the world. It allows us to explore new interests, discover hidden talents, and unlock our full potential. Lifelong learning is not just about acquiring practical skills; it is also about nurturing our curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking abilities.

Personal growth

Lifelong learning is not just about professional growth; it also contributes to personal fulfilment. By pursuing our interests and passions through learning, we can experience a sense of purpose and satisfaction. Lifelong learning allows us to continuously challenge ourselves and push our boundaries, leading to personal growth and a greater sense of fulfilment. Research also highlights that individuals with higher levels of education and skills tend to earn more throughout their careers. By continuously updating our skills and knowledge, we can position ourselves for higher-paying roles and increase our earning potential.

Employability and economic growth

Skilled professionals will more likely achieve gainful employment, thus contributing to their financial stability and overall economic growth and boosting economic prosperity. As ARISE offers a way to both obtain and recognise skills, it boosts employability. By proposing an all-encompassing certificating method, that focuses on a person's diverse skill set, which enhances their employability. Professionals can pick the skills that best suit their roles of desired employment (e.g. BIM modellers, Project managers, Information managers, Site managers, installers, etc) in a flexible way. They build and adapt their skillset step by step.

Empowerment and confidence

As individuals see their skills recognised it can instil a sense of empowerment and confidence. Individuals whose abilities are recognised are more likely to pursue ambitious goals, and seek career advancements, leading to increased social mobility. The bite-sized nature of ARISE learning allows a faster progression and recognition of skills. This is designed to help incentivise and motivate learners to uptake, and/or continue their path of further development of skills, as they see each achievement recognised in real-time, instead of an overall recognition that usually only attributes achievements in long term to which individuals may not be able to commit, or whose circumstance may change during that period.

Conclusion

ARISE provides a more flexible and on-time achievement and individual empowerment. In conclusion, we are aware that social mobility is influenced by various factors, some beyond an individual's personal control or ability to change from the onset, including social structures, systemic barriers, and unequal opportunities. However, an individual, given the opportunity, has the power to improve their skills, and therefore enhancing an individual's agency and ability to navigate their social and economic circumstances, increasing their chances of upward social mobility. Training in employable, relevant, transferable, future-proof skills is therefore an important aspect of empowering professionals. ARISE offers a scheme that does that for the AEC industry.

In our rapidly changing world, adaptability and resilience are crucial qualities. Lifelong learning equips us with the skills and mindset to navigate uncertainty and embrace change. By continuously learning and updating our skills, we become more adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges.

In conclusion, lifelong learning is essential for personal and professional growth. By investing in our skills and embracing continuous education, we can unlock a world of opportunities and propel ourselves towards social mobility. Lifelong learning not only enhances our employability and earning potential but also contributes to personal fulfilment and resilience. The challenge? Embrace the power of lifelong learning and unlock your true potential.

References

• Skills supply and demand in Europe: Medium-term forecast up to 2020, Feb. (Thessaloniki). European Commission (EC). 2010. New skills for new jobs: Action now, report by the Expert Group, Feb. (Brussels).
• Women in the Workplace: McKinsey & Company: 2022
  Ellen MacArthur Foundation, What is Circular Economy? Available online: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview (accessed on 30, 6th, 2023)
• European Commission, Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. Available online: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/industry/sustainability/buildings-and-construction_en (accessed on 30, 6th, 2023)
• World Energy Outlook  https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/830fe099-5530-48f2-a7c1-11f35d510983/WorldEnergyOutlook2022.pdf
• Skills Matter – up-skilling across construction stakeholders for emerging roles: 2022:  Behan, Cormack and McAuley