As part of the Interreg Italy-Austria project “METAWOOD”, two significant focus groups were organised by Apri Formazione S.r.l. and Centro Consorzi with the aim of identifying and profiling the missing or insufficient professional skills, both in the design phase and in the prefabrication and construction of multi-storey timber buildings.
The creation of a map of specialised skill needs, which is essential for improving both the design and execution phases of multi-storey building construction, was found to be crucial in developing appropriate training pathways. This was particularly important given the significant training gaps identified during the group discussions.
These conclusions were reached by the participants of the two meetings, held on 14 May 2024 at the Apri Formazione S.r.l. headquarters in Vicenza (via Zamenhof 100) and on 17 May 2024 at the Centro Consorzi headquarters in Belluno (via del Boscon 430).
The two sessions involved, in addition to representatives of the organising entities, Apri Formazione S.r.l./Confprofessioni and Centro Consorzi, several qualified designers, as well as the owners and technical experts from Veneto-based timber engineering and carpentry companies specialised in timber building construction of (Bozza S.r.l., FBE S.n.c., Artuso Legnami S.r.l., Saviane F.lli di Pompeo S.r.l.), operating within the regional territory. These companies are members of Consorzio Legno Veneto and are part of the Regional Innovation Network “Foresta Oro Veneto”.
Representatives from the Italian Union of Architects and Engineers (INARSIND), an associated partner of the “Metawood” project, and the Regional Passive House Association were also present. The coordination of both focus group sessions, along with the collection of the necessary information for their technical and scientific elaboration, was entrusted to the consultant of Apri Formazione S.r.l./Confprofessioni, Prof. Enrico Tezza. Prof. Tezza is a member of the Green Economics Institute at Oxford, currently an Advisor to the ILO-ITC, and a professor in the Master’s programme in Policy Innovation and Sustainability Impact Assessment at the University of Padua.