Abstract:

Across Europe, companies are facing increasing difficulties in recruiting Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technicians with the skills required for the rapid deployment of heat pump-based systems. This skills gap is driven, among other factors, by a lack of adequate training offers in the field of heat pump technologies within Vocational Education and Training (VET). In response to this need, the PUMP-UP Erasmus+ project aims to enhance the supply, quality, and relevance of vocational training for HVAC technicians by developing an innovative dual VET curriculum on heat pump technologies, supported by open-access resources and a micro-credential-based certification scheme that can be integrated into existing HVAC qualification frameworks.

Methodologically, the project follows a multi-phase, evidence-informed co-design process. First, an online survey gathered 63 responses from seven European countries, predominantly Estonia (33%), Spain (32%) and Denmark (16%). Respondents included HVAC trainees (17%), academics and researchers in heat pump technologies (14%), and HVAC training programme managers, trainers, and instructors (14%), mainly from VET centres, heat pump companies, and higher education institutions. The survey identified priority competences, including meticulous observance of installation and maintenance procedures, strict adherence to safety protocols, clear communication of technical concepts to customers and colleagues, commitment to ongoing professional development, and proficient use of HVAC control software for monitoring, diagnostics, and optimisation. The limited availability of suitable training options and time constraints within companies emerged as key barriers.

The second phase consisted of a virtual workshop with 20 participants, including 10 external experts from Germany, Greece, Denmark, Belgium and Spain. Through structured discussion, the survey results were reviewed, clustered into coherent competence areas and complemented with transversal needs in sustainability and digitalisation. In the final phase, the partnership translated these competence areas into 12 learning outcomes organised into six learning modules. In line with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) guidance, learning outcomes were formulated as statements of what learners know, understand and can do on completion of the learning process, and then embedded into modular, open-access units that can be certified as micro-credentials.

From a pedagogical perspective, PUMP-UP proposes an innovative model for curriculum development in rapidly evolving technical fields, combining cross-country needs analysis, expert co-creation and micro-credential design to deliver a flexible, inclusive and labour-market-aligned VET offer in heat pump technologies.

Keywords:

Training, HVAC, curriculum, co-design, sustainable, VET, Erasmus+, energy.