Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, CEOE and Fundación Telefónica launch a free ‘nanodegree’ for the digitalisation of the sector

It is an open free course consisting in 220 hours online training, that includes seven modules, with topics such as the BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology, introduction to Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital marketing, or the efficient use of the smartphones in project management.

The emergency situation that our society is experiencing these days has highlighted the need for digitalisation of the productive sectors in Spain. Currently, almost half of the Spanish population still lacks digital skills, which undoubtedly implies a high risk of exclusion in an uncertain and increasingly digital employment context.

Being aware of this, in 2019 Fundación Telefónica and the Spanish Employers Confederation (CEOE) announced the agreement of the “Professionals 4.0” programme to promote the digitalisation of the Spanish productive sectors. The initiative is part of “Conecta Empleo”, Fundación Telefónica’s digital training programme that offers free, quality training so that people can specialize in those digital professions, in greatest demand. It also promotes learning the necessary digital competencies and skills and be able to connect their trainees with the country’s technology companies.

Construction, a sector with great potential for digitalisation

The first one to develop the digital training programme has been the Construction sector. Fundación Telefónica and CEOE have joined forces and together with the sector’s paritarian entity, Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, have launched the online itinerary so that construction workers can be trained in the most demanded digital skills.

The training itinerary “Nanogrado Construcción 4.0” is free and consists of seven flexible modules and 220 hours of training, with transversal knowledge common to any sector -digital marketing, web analytics or big data; efficient use of the smartphones in project management and new environments and work methodologies in the 4.0 industry-, and specific skills of the sector Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology, introduction to Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT) or the success stories of digitalisation in construction companies.

The construction sector is joining digitalisation trend, driven by factors such as: a new type of client with evolving expectations, a renewed generation of professionals, new technological options or the implementation of large infrastructure projects on a global scale. According to data from the report “Digitisation in the Construction sector: the revolution in progress” by the multinational consulting firm Oliver Wyman, the digital transformation of this industry could lead to up to 25% savings in costs, since the information provided will help to generate improvements, be more efficient and optimize resources. Since 2010, the Construction industry has given rise to 1,200 start-ups which shows the trend towards the digitalisation of the sector.

“The Construction sector is already in the midst of a digitalisation process, especially due to the arrival of the new collaborative work concept called Building Information Modeling, better known as BIM, which will mark and revolutionise the entire sector, as it is already doing in other nearby countries. For this reason, it is even more important to implement this training initiative for all professionals who want to be up to date in the Construction sector”, says the General Director of Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, Enrique Corral.

“At Fundación Telefónica we have been committed for years to digital training as a tool for social transformation, as a vehicle so that no one is left behind in order to face the new challenges of digitalisation that affect all productive sectors. Launching this training, we are joining forces with CEOE and Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, to provide the digital and transversal skills necessary for the Construction sector. A common objective that will allow the digital adaptation of the sector and open up new professional opportunities for the trainees”, says Luis Miguel Olivas, Global Director of Employability and Educational Innovation of Fundación Telefónica.

Juan Carlos Tejeda, Director of the CEOE’s Education and Training department states: “Today, more than ever, it is essential to adapt the training of workers to the real needs in the digital society. In this training process, the synergies created thanks to the agreement between Fundación Telefónica and CEOE, with the addition of Fundación Laboral de la Construcción for the project we are presenting today, will be an important driving force”.

 Adding strength to connect people to the new reality of work

The objective of the agreement between Fundación Telefónica and CEOE to carry out the “Professionals 4.0” campaign is to launch a joint training programme that can contribute to the training of workers in the different production sectors in Spain, through online contents.

Fundación Telefónica, through its “Conecta Empleo” programme, will train its trainees in digital skills by developing the training itinerary and connecting them with technology companies. For its part, CEOE will lead the coordination with those companies, business organizations, agencies and entities of the different productive sectors of Spain that are interested in being part of the programme.