Life SKEMA “Skill Ecosystem, Market-driven learning and Advanced training for green and smart installers” – co-funded by the LIFE Programme – officially started this autumn with the aim of updating and innovating the skills of installers working in energy system manufacturing and building renovation sectors. Coordinated by ENAIP – Ente Nazionale Acli Istruzione Professionale Impresa Sociale, the partnership includes C.T.A. Consorzio Tecnologie Avanzate Soc.Coop, CRESME Ricerche Spa, Politecnico di Bari – DicaTech department, EPC – European Project Consulting srl, OFICINA Impresa Sociale, as well as the associated partners ENAIP NET and ANCE – Associazione Nazionale Costruttori Edili. With an overall budget of more than EUR 1.4 million, the initiative focuses on developing new professional profiles and competence units related to smart technologies, energy efficiency and HVAC and BACS systems.
During the Kick-off Meeting held in Rome on 30 September and 1 October 2025, partners defined the operational framework and launched the first working groups. The partner roles and coordination tools were established, accompanied by rigorous discussions on the planning the upcoming activities. Since this meeting, partners have begun 2 key activities: 1) joint research on regional qualification frameworks and European qualification systems to identify training gaps and outline the profile of the “smart & green installer”; and 2) stakeholder mapping activities for identifying key industry experts to include in the Observatory Lab, creating a space for dialogue among vocational schools, companies and public authorities.
The project was also presented to the public during the Smart Building Expo in Milan (19–21 November 2025), one of Italy’s leading trade fairs dedicated to the energy and digital transition which saw the participation of more than 150 international exhibitors. At the fair, LIFE SKEMA presented the project’s objectives to potential participants of future training courses and gathered initial feedback from market representatives and increase its visibility within a highly specialised professional community. Partners ENAIP and OFICINA also conducted an educational treasure hunt with around 200 students from vocational and technical institutes, as well as a roundtable with companies and industrial leaders, focused on defining the professional profiles and competence needs of the industry and evolving trends in the installation sector. The fair served as a strategic opportunity to continue the development of the project’s Observatory Lab.
For EPC the project, conceived and written by our expert Arch. Raffaella Lioce, represents an important opportunity to strengthen its collaboration network and to concretely contribute to spread EU principles of sustainability and knowledge-driven competitiveness, by supporting overall project coordination, communication and dissemination activities.
Stay tuned for more in 2026!
The project in a nutshell
| Acronym: Life SKEMA Full title: Skill Ecosystem, Market-driven Learning, and Advanced Training for Green and Smart Installers Funding Programme: LIFE – Clean Energy Transition Sub-program. Duration: 48 months (September 2025 – August 2029) Budget: EUR 1,443,216.00 (95% funded by the programme) Objectives: The projectaims to modernize the skills of smart and green installers through the development of updated professional profiles, strengthening training systems, and cooperation between training institutions, businesses, and stakeholders to accelerate the energy and digital transition.The main objective is to evolve the skills ecosystem to expand training opportunities and qualification systems in the installation sector, with a specific focus on professionals working in the technical field. Key activities include: – Building a shared skills ecosystem: Life SKEMA brings together businesses, training centers, institutions, and experts to foster the exchange of knowledge and practical approaches, ensuring that training programs truly meet the needs of the installation sector. – Creating new qualification standards: The project works to define updated, coherent, and future-proof qualification schemes that can support the professional growth of installers and contribute to the broader energy and digital transition. – Investing in trainers as skills multipliers: By strengthening the skills of CVET trainers and keeping them aligned with technological and market developments, Life SKEMA contributes to improving the overall quality and impact of professional training. – Promoting upskilling and reskilling of the next generation of installers: Life SKEMA develops training programs that equip energy management system professionals with the advanced skills required by a constantly evolving market. Through a network of replicating academies, the project expands the reach of its courses, ensuring that effective and innovative training models can be adopted and expanded across regions. Expected outputs: – One-Stop-Shop Platform: The OSS will serve as a centralized hub for sharing resources among teachers, researchers, trainers, and industry experts, fostering collaboration and knowledge dissemination. This platform will ensure that trainers are constantly updated on the latest developments and best practices, thus improving the quality and effectiveness of continuing education (CVET) programs. – Pilot Academy: Life SKEMA aims to create and test an innovative and replicable training model, focused on strengthening the skills of building services installation professionals in three priority areas: BACS (Building Automation Control Systems); HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning; Intelligent Energy Management. – Smart and Green Installer Academy (SIA) Network: The Academy Network offers a clear path for future growth, with a defined plan for its evolution after the project’s conclusion. This network will include replicators and followers, vocational training centers and schools already involved in the project phase, ensuring the continuity and expansion of the results and methodologies developed during the project. |
