From the outset of the WEC project, our organisation has played a core role in the research and curriculum development strands. In Germany we undertook systematic investigation into the construction labour market, identifying structural gender imbalances and the scale of workforce shortages that persist across EU and Western Balkan contexts. This involved gathering and analysing quantitative and qualitative data, synthesising national policy landscapes, and collating insights on VET participation, labour mobility, and gendered barriers to entry and retention in construction professions. This research has underpinned the wider consortium’s strategic decisions and informed needs assessments that shaped the project’s outputs.
The overarching objective of WEC is to challenge entrenched gender imbalances in the construction industry by empowering women through targeted vocational education, lifelong learning opportunities, and inclusive training methodologies. This involves aligning project activities with the evolving labour market demands and EU priorities for VET modernisation, workforce resilience, and gender equality. Specifically, WEC aims to:
Document labour shortages and gender disparities in construction across participating countries;
Develop an open-access digital learning platform with courses and tools for women and educators;
Create four tailored VET curriculum modules to support women’s entry and progression;
Build a toolkit with practical workshops and animated videos for VET institutions and employers;
Deliver awareness-raising events and capacity-building activities to encourage systemic change within VET and industry ecosystems. women-in-construction.eu
The goal is not only to equip women with technical and soft skills but also to advance inclusive cultures within both educational and workplace environments, enabling sustainable career pathways in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
To date, WEC has generated robust evidence on labour market dynamics affecting women across seven countries, providing partners and stakeholders with a detailed foundation for targeted interventions. Curricula co-developed by the consortium are shaping modular VET resources that reflect both pedagogic best practice and sector relevance. Early versions of the digital platform and associated course content are in development, with test resources and training toolkits underway. These assets will facilitate learner engagement and educator capacity building once published, contributing to increased accessibility of construction career opportunities for women.
In addition, the project has strengthened transnational collaboration and produced a replicable model for industry-linked VET reform that prioritises diversity and inclusion. Through workshops, community engagement actions, and iterative curriculum testing, consortium partners are enhancing awareness of gender inclusion needs among VET providers and employers. The combination of evidence, open educational resources, and practical toolkits positions WEC to influence future policy dialogue, attract new stakeholders to the conversation, and support measurable increases in women’s participation in construction professions.
