Pictured above are DASBE students at a traditional buildings workshop
Commercial partnership – DASBE
The Digital Academy for the Sustainable Built Environment (DASBE) is providing blended education in critical areas needed to upskill the construction sector.
Focusing on three essential themes – energy efficiency, the circular economy, and digital construction skills for sustainable building – DASBE aims to upskill construction professionals to meet the sector’s evolving demands.
DASBE is a five-year project (2020 – 2025) funded by the Government’s Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3 and is a partnership between Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), along with enterprise partners the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) and Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA).
Supporting Accessible Learning Pathways
DASBE is supporting programmes in ATU and TUS, ranging from level 6 to level 9, with funding of between 33 per cent and 50 per cent available.
Most DASBE funded programmes are delivered in a blended or fully online format, tailored to support working professionals in an ever-evolving industry.
A unique aspect of some DASBE programmes is that they offer learners the opportunity to stack their qualifications. This is where a learner can complete a certificate and then progress to a diploma or a master’s at their own pace.
Seamus Hoyne, Dean of Flexible and Work Place Learning at Technological University of the Shannon, presenting DASBE impacts at a HCI event recently
Seamus Hoyne, Dean of Flexible and Workplace Learning at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) said: “Over the past three years, DASBE has launched more than 40 innovative academic programmes, each designed to address the evolving needs of the built environment sector in the topics of energy efficiency, digitisation and circular economy.
Through extensive engagement with industry partners and the integration of technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, drones, and Building Information Modelling (BIM), we are equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing industry.
“The impact of DASBE has been substantial, but so too are the challenges ahead as recent reports from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council confirm skills and labour shortages. Continued collaboration and innovation will be key to meeting the growing demand for skills in the built environment.”
You can view a full list of DASBE funded programmes here
Students from TUS’s energy renovation of traditional building programme enjoy a site visit to Waterford
Expanding Opportunities with Micro-Credentials
Under the DASBE banner, additional funding has been announced for micro credentials aimed at the construction sector.
Micro credentials are short, accredited courses designed to offer a flexible and accessible upskilling option. A total of 80 per cent funding is available for eligible learners.
Full list of Micro Credentials starting in ATU and TUS in January can be found here
Atlantic Technological University
- Access and Use (Part M, B, K, DAC, Universal Design)
- Building Information Modelling (BIM) For Sustainability
- Circular Economy Principles for the Built Environment
- Domestic Heat Pumps I: Installation and Commissioning
- Domestic Heat Pumps II: Maintenance and Service
- Fire Safety (Part B Buildings Other Than Dwelling Houses, and FSC)
- Services (Part E, F, G, H, J and D)
- Visual Programming for Digital Construction
Technological University of the Shannon
- Building Information Modelling (BIM) with Revit MEP
- Decarbonising Solutions for the Built Environment
- Common Data Environment Data Analytics
- Decarbonisation Analysis and Solutions
- Decarbonisation Strategies and Options
- Fundamentals in Green Procurement in Construction
- Green Procurement Digital Tools in Construction
- ICMS and BIM (for Quantity Surveyors)
- ICMS and Whole Life Carbon
- Python for Construction Professionals
DASBE partners pictured with professional bodies representatives, who gathered recently to discuss programme development
DASBE manager Elisabeth O’Brien believes in the power of digitalisation and says industry professionals can upskill in their own time through online learning.
“There is a major shift towards becoming aware of benefits and importance of digitalisation (or the new terminology AI), especially with the understanding and use of BIM. It’s beginning to filter out to SMEs that BIM isn’t just about modelling and producing ‘pretty’ pictures,” she says.
“Companies are now realising that Asset Information Model (AIM) allows for streamlined project management, faster design, real-time construction and quality build.
“This is the key to quality sustainable construction and with the pressure to develop 500,000 housing units by 2030, adoption of the BIM Mandate and added policies on circularity, green procurement and waste management it’s a tall order to fill.
“Green procurement is a new area for many SMEs to understand, its important now to ensure compliance and to become competitive and cost efficient. District heating, perhaps not so much in the SMEs remit, but certainly one that Ireland needs to progress forward,” Elisabeth adds.
“Ireland is behind most of the EU on this development and has many opportunities to progress this faster but needs support at government level to collaboratively work on this with the Construction Industry Federation as well as research and energy agencies and experts.
“DASBE is developing and delivering programmes for the sustainable built environment, including areas such as BIM, drones, decarbonisation, green procurement and heat pumps, to name but a few. The courses enable construction professionals to upskill in their own time, blending real life best practice case studies and visits, with online evening learning.”
To engage with DASBE visit dasbe.ie and sign up to the newsletter. Follow DASBE channels on social media including LinkedIn.
DASBE is funded by the Higher Education Authority’s HCI Pillar 3, a government programme designed to meet priority skills needs, by increasing collaboration between higher education and enterprise with a focus on innovations in teaching and learning.
