The building sector nowadays has come to the stage where it needs a “digital” renovation. This is to be accomplished by an introduction of change into the methodology of construction and using new tools and technologies, such as BIM technology. This paper gives an insight into the status of BIM adoption in North Macedonia. It presents the threefold actions toward introduction of BIM in the national construction industry. These actions refer to scanning the current situation regarding digitalization of the sector, then taking promotional actions to express the benefits of BIM, and finally identifying and proposing the most suitable measures, summarized in the proposal of the National Roadmap for BIM adoption. The methods used consist of a brief literature review of the global status of BIM development. Then, the results of a survey conducted on more than 300 respondents representing a sample of building professionals in the country are discussed, and the barriers for successful BIM adoption are accordingly identified. The next step is to showcase the potential benefits of BIM for assessment of energy performance of buildings. As a final point, the conclusions drafted toward identification of the most important challenges are addressed in the proposed National Roadmap for BIM adoption.

Although the building sector builds and renovates objects, the construction industry is currently due for a digital renovation. In this paper, we provide insight into the status of BIM adoption in North Macedonia as a step towards the digital transformation of the construction industry. The presented review on the current stage of development, benefits, and barriers is followed with showcasing the possibilities for using BIM for the assessment of the energy performance of buildings through case studies. Furthermore, the results of the conducted survey on BIM awareness and the proposed national roadmap for BIM adoption are elaborated on.

During the last two decades, intensified actions toward energy efficiency in construction have provoked the implementation of a significant number of EU-funded and national projects that have developed knowledge in the field of energy-efficient (EE) design and construction of new and refurbished buildings. The current study contributes to state-of-the-art research of the best practices in the field of energy skills at the EU level. The methodology used comprised of desk research on the status of the development of energy skills in construction and business, the status of demand, the level of awareness, and the current training schemes and certifications which are offered. The research is based on published reports, publications, and surveys, resulting in the identification of over 500 sources of information relevant to EE skills. Key findings address the challenges related to the transition of EE skills from the national to the inter-regional level, due to methodological differences, language barriers, and organizational issues. Special attention is given to identifying existing practices for the recognition of previous learning (RPL), and to mitigate barriers to further implementation of this method for upskilling and certification of professionals and workers. In addition, we provide a base that shall allow us to evaluate the impact of existing initiatives on EE and digital skills management in the construction sectors through the survey conducted on an inter-regional level, including five different European countries. The survey results show regional divergence in the adoption of energy skills, but also concentrate on more general conclusions that will pave the way for the creation of upcoming training schemes for upskilling of the construction workforce involving both blue collars and white collars, and noting digital skills, cross-craft competences, and skills in renewable sources as the most in-demand to ensure sustainable construction

Renewable energy and use of renewable energy sources (RES) is seen as part of the appropriate response to the global concerns for energy efficiency and greener world leading to a rapid increase in demand for renewable energy specialists who are able to design, install and maintain such systems. There are very few initiatives for more systematic approach for designing educational programs and developing curricula for training for designers and installers of RES systems in buildings. This especially refers to developing separate occupational standards, recognized by the national qualification frameworks, which will ensure formal validation of developed qualifications. The aim of this paper is to provide a model for training courses for designers and installers of small-scale renewable energy systems in buildings. This model is based on the experience of TRAINEE project, which had the aim to implement training courses for designers and installers of RES systems in buildings.

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