What happens when passionate educators, construction experts, and forward-thinkers from across Europe gather under the Turkish sun? They start building the future, of course!
This past April, the ConstructHer Future (CoHer) team came together in beautiful Dalaman, Muğla, for our first major joint workshop. It was an energetic and incredibly productive few days focused on one of the biggest goals of our project: reforming construction education to make it more inclusive and empowering for young women.
What Was Our Goal?
Our main mission was to take all the research and feedback we’ve gathered and turn it into a real plan. We wanted to answer the big question: “How can we create a VET curriculum that not only teaches essential construction skills but also inspires confidence, challenges stereotypes, and opens up exciting new career paths for women?”
What Did We Do?
Led by our Turkish partners, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work! Through lively World Café sessions, group discussions, and brainstorming activities, we:
- Finalized our “4 Pillars”: We confirmed the four core principles that will guide every part of our curriculum: Gender Equality, Holistic Skill Development, Future-Focused Practices, and Inclusivity & Accessibility. This is our promise to create a truly modern learning experience.
- Brainstormed Key Topics: We identified the most important skills needed in today’s construction world, from digital tools and green building techniques to leadership and assertive communication.
- Planned for Practicality: We all agreed that our courses need to be hands-on, engaging, and practical. We focused on ideas for real-world projects, interactive exercises, and using diverse formats like video and online tools to make learning fun and accessible for everyone.
What We Achieved:
We left Dalaman with more than just a great experience; we left with a clear, shared vision and a concrete action plan. The workshop laid the essential groundwork for developing the 6 Core Modules and at least 5 Specialized Mini-Courses that will form the heart of the CoHer program.
Most importantly, the energy and collaboration in the room were inspiring. It proved that by working together, we can build a stronger, more diverse, and more equitable future for the construction industry, one student at a time.
A huge thank you to all our partners for their incredible contributions! Stay tuned for more updates as we begin to bring this new curriculum to life.
