The ‘XR Energy’ consortium, coordinated by SUSTAINUM-Institut für zukunftsfähiges Wirtschaften, met on January 22 and 23 in Berlin, Germany, to hold its final in-person meeting and review the milestones achieved during the project.

Co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, the initiative brings together leading international organizations in innovation, technology, and training, with the primary goal of promoting the use of Extended Reality (XR) in training, thereby contributing to professional qualifications needed to address the sector’s current challenges.

Innovative training resources

The partner organizations of ‘XR Energy’ have worked together to develop advanced immersive learning tools, designed to facilitate the understanding of complex technical concepts and the acquisition of key competencies.

In this context, the joint entity has played a fundamental role through the pedagogical design of the modules, establishing the necessary parameters for their development. During the project, numerous learning modules were developed, in which the modules were implemented and analyzed with the aim of progressively improving and adapting them until the final result was achieved.

Juan Francisco Lobaco and Lourdes Carreras, trainers at the Fundación Laboral training center in Aragón, have been key figures in this process through the creation of several instructional units, one of which is particularly comprehensive and has served as the basis for the development of some of the explanatory videos. These units include 360° images, BIM models, and virtual tours.

The video tutorials, aimed at trainers, explain how to create XR-based training content for vocational training courses. This effort allows the developed materials to be replicated by other trainers, multiplying their impact and fostering innovation in the classroom.

All these materials allow for the integration of multiple interactive elements, facilitating student monitoring and self-assessment, and opening up new possibilities for teaching complex content in a clear and dynamic way.

Promoting professional qualifications and talent attraction

The construction sector faces a structural shortage of professional qualifications and a growing need for generational renewal. Furthermore, the complexity of new energy and construction systems requires advanced technical knowledge and management and maintenance skills, which are not always effectively conveyed through traditional training methods.

‘XR Energy’ addresses these challenges by developing digital, dynamic, flexible, and customizable learning units, thereby lowering barriers to access for teachers and training centers seeking XR-based resources and materials.

As a result, the project contributes to:

• Improve the qualifications of students and the sector’s workforce.
• Renew the image of the construction industry, making it more appealing to attract young talent.
• Promote educational and technological innovation in vocational training.

?National and international impact and recognition

The innovative and educational impact of ‘XR Energy’ have been recognized at national and international awards and conferences. Among these, its nomination for the Premios a la Edificación Aragonesa 2025 stands out, where it was a finalist in the category “Best Innovation Project and/or Industrialized Construction System in the Construction Sector 2025”.

The project has also been presented at international events such as ICERI 2025 and EDULEARN 2025, where the initiative’s progress in integrating Extended Reality into vocational training was showcased. These presentations have helped disseminate best practices and strengthen international cooperation, as well as raise awareness of the project’s results.

Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Neither the European Union nor the granting entity can be held responsible for them.