ENGINEERS' AND MANAGERS' EDUCATION IN CONSTRUCTION - INNOVATIVE APPROACH

This paper presents two European Union research and educational projects funded by Leonardo da Vinci Program:

– ARCW – "Health and safety procedures for curtain walls with the use of Augmented Reality Technology" (Project Number: 2013-1-PL1-LEO05-37525). The project deals with Health & Safety measures during working at construction sites. Modern IT technologies included in BIM system are used to achieve the highest standards of quality. Thus, this project will implement proper quality and safety of works during assembly of curtain walls by using modern training materials with the use of Augmented Reality (AR). AR is the term to define a direct or indirect view of the psychical environment in the real world, which elements combine with virtual elements in order to create a mixed reality in real time. AR will enable precise conduction of activities performed by workers in an efficient manner, ensuring the safety of work at the same time.

Accordingly, the objectives of the project are:
*Analyze different kinds of curtain walls and select the most appropriate ones to implement the training system based on AR.
*Identify basics skills related to curtain walls assembly.
*Develop the software to establish the training design based on AR and the necessary hardware for its implementation.
*Carry out a training pilot with curtain walls fitters in which the system will be tested and, on the basis of evaluation previously established, the improvement in the performance of the fitters will be assessed.

It is noteworthy that the contents that will feed the application up have been developed based on a documentary analysis and a revision in-depth made by experts, who decided jointly which topics would be most suitable for the tool.

– SERIO – "On-site construction employees’ occupational safety in Europe the enhancement and strengthening of their Health and Safety skills development by means of the creation of multimedia training, based on case studies with the use of contemporary devices" (Project Number: 2013-1-PL1-LEO05-37526) will develop a mobile application for Health and Safety rules. Consequently, project aims at developing good Health and Safety habits and behaviors in users. Hence, SERIO application would be used as an independent training tool or as a supplementary instrument during mandatory Health and Safety training , in order to provide non-formal learning by presenting H&S issues in a more attractive and comprehensive manner for construction staff. The application will focus on messages based on graphics, pictures, signs and photographs etc., rather than concentrating on written text and definitions.

The SERIO project addresses the following objectives:
*Create an application allowing quick and easy understanding of Health and Safety issues,
*Elaborate a training methodology adapted for the application including e.g. pictures, voices, animations, and short movies,
*Improve Health and Safety practice on building sites across Europe,
*Enhance the mobility of the labour force in the European Union.
The training contents that will be part of the SERIO application have been agreed and develop by experts in Health and Safety.

Finally, it is necessary to point out that both applications, ARCW and SERIO, will be available for mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones (Android and IOS systems).