WICEPS: Women in Construction: empowering skills and presence in the 3D construction industry

WICEPS aimed to increase the presence, knowledge, and empowerment of women in the 3D construction industry, helping them transition from education to the workforce. The project sought to create eq...

WICEPS aimed to increase the presence, knowledge, and empowerment of women in the 3D construction industry, helping them transition from education to the workforce. The project sought to create equal opportunities in a sector where women face persistent barriers. According to the application, our specific objectives were to: • Train and empower women with new 3D construction and digital skills. • Support the professional development of adult trainers and VET teachers, equipping them with innovative tools and methods. • Promote self-training through an open-access MOOC covering 3D printing, material science, health & safety, sustainability, and digital skills. • Strengthen the capacity of partner organisations to deliver inclusive and modern training. • Raise awareness of career opportunities for women in construction and promote diversity in this field. • Contribute to the digital transformation and innovation of VET systems in Ireland and Spain. Ultimately, the project aimed to make the construction sector more inclusive, digital, and gender-balanced across Europe.

• Project management: Gantt and workplan, monthly online coordination, documented minutes, risk/issue tracking, and two TPMs (kick-off Madrid; close-out in IE). • Research Analysis and MOOC Implementation: - TNA in ES & IE to confirm learner needs (hands-on digital skills, employability support, confidence building, basic tech context). - MOOC design & build: nine modules (digital skills; career & CV; communication/leadership with exercises; EU dimension; intro to construction; 3D printing; materials; H&S; sustainability). Implemented open access (no mandatory login) with an optional form for evidence. - Quality assurance: evaluation forms, continuous fixes (e.g., registration/translation issues), and iterative improvements. • Training and Peer Learning Activity: - Teacher training (IE) and peer learning (IE) to embed use of materials. - Local workshops in ES & IE (fewer sessions but consolidated groups to reach target women). • Communication and dissemination of Results: branding, website (wiceps.eu), press, strong social media and a paid Ads push to drive MOOC traffic.

• Comparative research on 3D construction printing in Ireland and Spain identified skills gaps, gender barriers, and training needs, informing the MOOC and teacher training design. • The website (wiceps.eu) is live as an OER hub. • The MOOC (9 modules, EN/ES) was launched open access with optional registration; 106 voluntary learners registered, and campaign data show strong outreach beyond form counts. • An introductory video tutorial guides users on effective MOOC use. • Teacher training in Ireland, and a peer-learning exchange took place in Leitrim. • Local workshops in both countries reached 56 women through larger consolidated groups. • A final event in Sligo featured female role models. • Evaluation tools improved UX, while dissemination materials and logs were finalised, and results uploaded to the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. • A post-project access plan ensures the website and MOOC remain online for at least three years.