City of Glasgow College to adopt EMIC-GEM programme

The City of Glasgow College is scheduled to implement a new European project named Embracing Modular Innovation in Construction – Getting Education Modernised (EMIC-GEM) which will teach learners how to utilise modern methods of construction, namely that of modular building.

The new EMIC-GEM training model is scheduled to reach final development by March 2020 and will be incorporated into learning at the college for a trial period until February 2022, with the programme having been funded by Erasmus Plus.

The Project Manager for STEM and Innovation at City of Glasgow College, Linus Reichenbach stated: “The aim is to transform delivery of off-site and modular methods of construction advanced vocational education and training. Key processes will be digitalised while an emphasis will be placed on decarbonising activity, improving energy and resource efficiency, workplace safety and diversification of the workforce.”

The Head of Public Partnerships & Future Workforce, Rohan Bush added: “Moving to greater use of off-site construction is the only way the UK can meet its current housing challenges, but we need a workforce which has the skills and knowledge to do this. Working on a shared approach with education providers across Europe gives us the chance to transform the skills agenda at scale.”

Adding to this, the aims of the EMIC-GEM are to develop a ground-breaking training model and competency framework, engage approximately 2,000 individual learners, supply open online educational resources, and to raise awareness for the adoption of off-site and modular methods of construction.

The Associate Dean for Construction at City of Glasgow College, Andy Pollock concluded: “This last objective is not secondary. Up to 95 per cent of construction, architecture, and civil engineering firms are SMEs or micro-enterprises, so the need for a shift from traditional to modern methods of construction has never been greater.

“Investing in a transnational network of professionals offers the opportunity to accelerate a pan-European response to the education and skilling needs of the construction industry.”

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