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Found 170 funded projects. Funded projects are sorted in the most recent first.

To find out further information on each project, please select the project title

Improving performance through better procurement practices
Funding theme:

Training & Development

Funding topic:
Changing industry culture, Productivity and new ways of working, New qualifications and courses, Small employer support
Project lead:
Nottingham Trent University
Amount awarded:
£660,704
Project summary:

This project will involve the implementation of an “Integrated Value-based Supply Chain (IVSC)” procurement approach for the delivery of local authority (LA) projects. According to industry forecasts, the LA building sector fared poorly in 2018, and is expected to continue to underperform relative to the housing and infrastructure sectors. This new procurement approach will embed processes and practices that drive productivity improvements through innovation and a focus on collaborative value addition by Tier-2, and Tier-3 organisations.

Augmented induction for highways (Immersive Learning)
Funding theme:

Innovation

Funding topic:
Digital and new technology, Learning resources
Project lead:
BAM Nuttall
Amount awarded:
£244,000
Project summary:

The project will reduce teaching time and improve memory retention for behavioural induction training onto highway construction sites using augmented reality in a blended learning solution. Content will cover topics including: access and egress, exclusion zones, people plant, scaffolding.

This will be delivered using classroom environments, tablet computers and affordable virtual reality headsets. Products include 3D content, serious games and interactive quizzes. It will be presented in multiple languages most spoken on site.

The project will pilot at the BMV M5 Oldbury viaduct site in Birmingham as a working example and then expanding to the M62 and M27 smart motorway projects with plans for further scaling post-project.

After the project, BAM Nuttall will have shown how augmented reality can be delivered through networked tablet devices to improve how site inductions are delivered through learning approach, reductions in time and increased engagement from learners. They will have developed a product that can deliver this which will be available for industry to use.

Building Mental Health
Funding theme:

Innovation

Funding topic:
Changing industry culture, Small employer support, Leadership and management
Project lead:
Laing O'Rourke
Amount awarded:
£1,000,000
Project summary:

The project will increase the awareness of mental health within the construction sector by training 288 Mental Health first Aid practitioners (instructors) who in turn will train two-day mental health First Aiders within the sector.


The project will establish a strong framework of instructors and mental health first aiders that will help tackle this increasing issue within the construction sector. In addition the programme will see attitudes to first aid improve and the stigma reduce and workers being able to discuss their mental health.

Factors Practice (HFP) in the UK Construction & Built Environment
Funding theme:

Innovation

Funding topic:
Productivity and new ways of working, Digital and new technology, Learning resources
Project lead:
SBF
Amount awarded:
£22,000
Project summary:

The project will produce a research paper on Human Factors Practice (HFP) for specific use within the UK Construction & Built Environment (CBE) sector. HFP is closely linked to leadership and management skills. The paper will conclude with recommendations.

Immersive Learning for Construction – Plymouth (Immersive Learning)
Funding theme:

Innovation

Funding topic:
Learning resources, Sectors and roles, Small employer support, Digital and new technology, Leadership and management
Project lead:
City College Plymouth
Amount awarded:
£270,000
Project summary:

The project will reduce learning hours and increase retention of students by developing a high-quality virtual 4-bedroom house and building site from which a range of learning can be undertaken.

Behavioural safety training modules will be developed at each stage of construction, for example: plant and equipment hazards in initial stages; Working at Height in the final stages; and electrical and fire hazards in a completed build.

Modules will map to the OCN Level 1 Health and Safety course and will be multi-purpose across disciplines. Intervention will be a blended learning solution - learned in the real world and rehearsed in the virtual world. 

In addition, the project will also support blended learning including VR for Construction Managers and Supervisors.

The project will also expand the capacity and capability of immersive learning by promoting VR in construction at careers events, as well as deliver a programme of upskilling college staff and local employers in how to adopt & embed IL.

At the end of the project, the benefits of using immersive learning for behavioural safety and hazard awareness will be played back to industry, and VR content and teaching modules will be made available to industry. Learners will have received learning in a more impactful way than traditional methods, potentially leading to better performance on site.

Increasing Employer Engagement in Higher Level and Degree Apprenticeships
Funding theme:

Innovation

Funding topic:
Changing industry culture, Learning resources, Careers and recruitment
Project lead:
Kier Group plc
Amount awarded:
£151,575
Project summary:

The project will pilot employer engagement activities and individual support to potential new entrant apprentices with a priority focus on under-represented groups.  Apprentices will be connected to construction employers and offered workplace site visits, one-to-one interactions and work experience. 

The aim of the pilot is to develop new resources and guidance to support employers to recruit and inspire a diverse range of new entrants into the industry via the Higher Level Apprenticeship route.

Offsite ready (improving skills for offsite construction)
Funding theme:

Innovation

Funding topic:
Productivity and new ways of working, Digital and new technology, Learning resources, New qualifications and courses
Project lead:
Construction Scotland Innovation Centre
Amount awarded:
£496,300
Project summary:

The project will deliver the capacity and capability to upskill industry on standardised skills and knowledge in offsite construction.

Training will be a combination of  trainer-led and application of online resources. Content will be modular and accredited, purposed for a wide range of uses and mapped to relevant L2-7 qualifications and standards. Guidance will be developed to help trainers contextualise modules to their particular subject area.

The project will enhance materials with experiential learning that includes classroom enrichment, immersive and real-world experiences, as well as a sustainable network of experts to share knowledge, maintain and support the products.

After the project, a significant proportion of the construction FE sector will be upskilled in offsite practices. Sustainability will be achieved by hosting on a free online platform in a format compatible with other platforms, thus allowing resources to be freely downloaded and shared. Trainers will be certified once upskilled to deliver the content.

Project CONVERT (Immersive Learning)
Funding theme:

Innovation

Funding topic:
Learning resources, Small employer support, Digital and new technology
Project lead:
Construction Wales Innovation Centre
Amount awarded:
£1,404,000
Project summary:

The project will deliver a real-world GB-wide infrastructure that will deliver immersive learning to the industry in a sustainable and scalable way. This will be completed through six focused delivery Hubs across three nations, located at:

1. Leeds College of Building
2. Construction Wales Innovation Centre
3. Construction Scotland Innovation Centre
4. Dudley College
5. Waltham Forest Construction Innovation Centre
6. Bridgewater & Taunton College

Through these Hubs, the project will deliver four Strands of interventions to 2,440 learners which will reduce error, accident rates and time/cost factors in delivering training. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) modules will be developed across the following work streams delivered in each Hub:

1. Working at height/scaffolding using VR
2. Building de-construction using BIM and VR
3. Wood/paint-spraying machines with AR
4. Surveying using drones in a VR space.

This will be supported by a 'train-the-trainer' programme to deliver immersive learning in the industry, as well as the development of a bespoke learner management system.

At the end of the project, the six hubs will act as centres of excellence where industry can walk in with a training need, be upskilled on how to use immersive technologies, develop immersive learning solutions and access immersive training through the hardware and content funded by CITB.

Timber Component Installation Interactive Learning Tools
Funding theme:

Innovation

Funding topic:
Productivity and new ways of working, Digital and new technology, Learning resources
Project lead:
BWF
Amount awarded:
£38,000
Project summary:

This project will create 3 x fully interactive learning tools to address errors and defects in the following key areas; 

  • Timber staircase installation
  • Timber fire door assembly and door set installation
  • Timber window installation.

The project will pilot the learning with BWF members and then be made widely available across industry.

Transforming Construction Trade Apprenticeships (Immersive Learning)
Funding theme:

Innovation

Funding topic:
Digital and new technology, Learning resources
Project lead:
Bridgwater & Taunton College
Amount awarded:
£249,000
Project summary:

The project will support colleges delivering the Apprenticeship requirement for 20% off-site learning for Form Working, Steel Fixing and Concrete Pouring focusing on the nuclear sector.  It will use augmented reality (AR) to enhance the acquisition of skills and competencies that are then reinforced on site using a collaborative virtual reality (VR) classroom that each apprentice can access remotely.

This will minimise time off-site through a virtual learning environment, increase engagement through technology native to the target group, and enhance knowledge retention and achievement.

Apprentices will use state of the art immersive learning headwear in college to enhance real-world learning.  They will then be given a low-cost mobile VR headset that they will take to site that will be worn off-site at scheduled times to refresh skills in a collaborative virtual environment shared with other apprentices and the college lecturer.

After the project, Bridgwater & Taunton College will have shown how immersive learning can be used to improve the acquisition and retention of knowledge. They will have stablished a way to deliver collaborative learning through this technology and will have developed materials for others to take the same approach.