This Erasmus+ project deals with digitalisation in Cultural Heritage – not with movable cultural assets, however, but with built Cultural Heritage. VI-TRAIN-Crafts is different: it develops innovative training programmes for traditional/endangered crafts and is dealing with structural damage. Something that is creative and innovative in itself, as no such projects have existed before. And now this unique project is coming to an end. In order to deliver meaningful results, VI-TRAIN-Crafts organised a learner event in July entitled “Virtual Crafts Training”. In this event, defined scenarios were tested to work with virtual tools suitable for the purpose of VI-TRAIN-Crafts. The specifics of practical training for traditional/threatened crafts were considered. In particular, the use of cameras was tested in practice and evaluated in accordance with the training context. In particular, the effort required for preparation and follow-up, the lighting, the perspective and possible restrictions, such as posture and movement of the hands as well as possible shadows, must be taken into account in order to obtain an effective training video. A key finding from this learner event is that the course of the training and the availability of relevant infrastructure must be carefully planned and coordinated for each learner. Furthermore, switching from one learner to another is time-consuming.
The use of VR & AR is still limited at the moment, as training requires a high resolution (VR) and standardised structures in the historic building (AR). Both are possible in principle, but involve high costs. In contrast to medicine, cultural heritage often lacks the financial resources for this. Support from the EU Commission and the member states is urgently needed here.
The main learning effect from the Learner Event is therefore:
* Each application must be tailored to training purpose, financial and technological situation of the learner
* Feedback works better with a time delay, i.e. more in the sense of Coaching
* Virtual training is rather seen as a supplement in the medium term, not a replacement for f2f
The same applies to the Virtual Building Inspector: it is a supplement and a saving, not a complete replacement. Some steps of the inspection simply cannot be reproduced virtually – e.g. the haptic inspection by tapping or “spitting on it”. However, the virtual scanning and creation of a model from the images shall reduce the use of scaffolding, lifting platforms, lifts and the physical presence of a specialist. Therefore: mission accomplished!
A valuable side effect is the possibility of documenting traditional/endangered crafts and thus preserving them for future generations. Based on this insight, organisations such as BHÖ (AT) and SGPR (PT) intend to record craft activities on their buildings on video in the future. This will create a huge video library which will form the basis for comprehensive, customised Online Training.
Two multiplier events were organised in the last few months: in Bilbao and Vienna. And of course, a total of 16 trainers were certified in the Train-the-Trainer course – 5 of them are new.
The final meeting will take place from 08-09 November 2023 in Cascais, PT, and the exciting VI-TRAIN-Crafts project will end on 14 November.
Digitisation is a key element in many EU Agendas and Cultural Heritage is no exception. Therefore, the Erasmus+ project VI-TRAIN is developing innovative training for traditional/endangered crafts and dealing with structural damage. In order to meet the challenges of digital training of craftspeople, VI-TRAIN partners have now analysed the main techniques and technologies to assess their usefulness for the purposes of the project. As already suspected, there are almost no Best Practice examples in the field of Cultural Heritage or traditional crafts. So, the partners had to look for usable templates in similar fields.
In the case of manual, artisanal work, there are specifics that make comparison quite difficult. A good example is blacksmithing, which is often required in historic buildings: in this instance, simply hitting the anvil is relatively easy to reproduce. Things get difficult when the impact of the hammer on the anvil is lacking, and that is digitally – currently – the case. Slaking lime, on the other hand, would require enormous amounts of real-time data to get the right result. In the real world, the experienced craftsperson has that in feel. Virtually, the condition of the slaked lime must be calculated from the moisture content of the lime and sand, the amount of water added, and the force with which the mass is mixed. Only by calculating the optimum result can be identified. This requires enormous computing capacities, which at the moment neither seem to be available nor financially affordable. In order to find a solution for these crafts specifics, partners need a lot of creativity and experience, so that targeted instructions by experienced craftspeople become digitally viable.
In March and April 2022, VI-TRAIN study visits to the Institute of Digitisation and Computer Science at IMC Krems took place, which excited the participants. The topics were digital options and their applicability for Cultural Heritage, as well as an introduction to the model for the “Virtual Building Damage Identification” training. Even particularly sceptical professionals testified afterwards that something great is being created here, which will have a lasting impact on the training of craftspeople.
On July 7, 2022, a major multiplier event will take place in Cascais, PT. It will be hosted by the Portuguese Presidency, which is also a partner in the VI-TRAIN project.
In the Erasmus+ project VI-TRAIN, innovative trainings for traditional/endangered crafts and for dealing with building damage are developed. In order to meet these challenges, project partners are focussing in the first phase of the project on usable new techniques, technologies and possibilities of digitalisation. Indeed, the Covid19 crisis has made the issue even more urgent, as educational organisations suffer greatly from restrictions and new rules.
VI-TRAIN partners are now analysing these techniques and technologies to assess their usefulness for the purposes of the project. Of course, Best Practice examples are particularly needed here, as practical results are already available. However, in the case of manual, handcraft work, these examples are missing, which means that partners have to look for similarities in the application. These similar procedures are then closely examined to see if they are also suitable for training craftspeople. Many of these crafts need a lot of experience and/or specific guidance by experienced craftspeople. It is precisely this training that is to be supported by selected digitisation means.
You too can support the consortium in its innovative work: in March 2022 there will be a study visit to the Institute of Digitisation and Informatics at IMC Krems, AT. The topic of the event will be digital possibilities and their use for Cultural Heritage. You will receive an invitation to this visit by separate mail.
In the virtual kick-off meeting on 27.10.2021, a survey on Best Practice was attuned. The results should be available in February 2022.
In order to guarantee longevity & usability of European Heritage it is inevitable to keep up with the requirements of society like new technology and digitisation. The Covid19 crisis added some urgency to the issue as training organisations strongly suffer from restrictions and new rules, which are threatening traditional education and training activities. Especially in regards to hands-on training, where instructors need to get really close to learners in order to teach practical skills.
The consortium of VI-TRAIN takes on the challenge of developing innovative training for traditional/threatened crafts and handling of building damages. A big focus is given to crafts that are almost nowhere trained any more. Lots of those crafts do need a lot of experience and guidance by experienced craftspeople. This training in particular will be boosted by various digitisation support.
The objectives of VI-TRAIN are:
• to identify appropriate means of distance learning for the training of craftspeople (manual work),
• to identify appropriate means of online cooperation in hands-on training
• to derive success criteria for highly accepted digital solutions
• to develop and test a virtual/3D-crafts training system
• to develop and test a virtual/3D-buidling damage identification training system
• to investigate and test options overcoming restrictions
• to develop a train-the-trainer system for application of selected tools in training of traditional crafts
Participants of the courses developed in VI-TRAIN can obtain a European certificate by ECQA (www.ecqa.org).
VI-TRAIN nicely enriches the offer of The European Heritage Academy (EHA), which will be in charge of delivering VI-TRAIN training courses after completion of the project.
Digitisation has arrived in Cultural Heritage. However, its application is mostly limited to digital processing of data for preservation and information. VI-TRAIN is different: in this Erasmus+ project, innovative trainings for traditional/endangered crafts and dealing with structural damage are developed. As we know, digital training of craftspeople is quite a challenge. And this is currently addressed very practically. From 19-23 June, the pilot training for “Virtual Building Damage Inspectors” took place in Mauerbach. The partner organisations have registered staff for this course in order to test in practice how building damage can be assessed using drones. With the data obtained, a qualitative and informed decision can be made about necessary further investigations. This saves time and financial resources, as scaffolding only needs to be erected where potential damage has actually been identified. And the drones can also be steered by trained laypersons.
In mid-July, selected scenarios will then be tested in Bratislava, such as stonemasonry work, bricklaying and plastering. These scenarios will form the basis for the virtual VI-TRAIN course offer. As already mentioned, in case of manual craft work there are special features that make comparison quite difficult. A good example is blacksmithing, which is often required in historical buildings: here, simply hitting an anvil is relatively easy to reproduce. Things get difficult when the impact of the hammer on the anvil is missing, and that is digitally – currently – the case. When slaking lime, on the other hand, enormous amounts of real-time data would be necessary to get the right result. In the real world, the experienced craftsperson does that intuitively. Virtually, the condition of the slaked lime has to be calculated from the moisture content of lime and sand, the amount of water added and the force with which the mass is mixed. This requires enormous computing capacities, which are neither available nor seem financially feasible at this point in time.
In addition, a train-the-trainer course will be held in Budapest in September 2023.
The feedback from the first participants is very encouraging, especially with regard to active participation in the course. Even particularly sceptical experts testify that something really great is being created here that will have a lasting impact on the training of craftspeople.
The Erasmus+ project VI-TRAIN – VIrtual TRAINing for traditional Crafts, which is known to develop the requirements for ECQA-certified innovative training for traditional/endangered crafts and for dealing with structural damage, has successfully applied for a 6-month extension end of 2022. This will compensate delays caused by the COVID19 crisis and allow a high quality project outcome to be achieved.
After the partners had analysed applicable new techniques, technologies and possibilities of digitisation, the most suitable ones were selected for use in virtual training. Since examples in the case of manual, handicraft work are almost completely missing, partners had to look for parallels in the application. These processes were then closely examined to see if they were also suitable for training craftspeople. In addition to the execution of the craft activity, the result must also be available virtually. This requires targeted instruction by experienced craftspeople. Precisely this training is supposed to supported by selected digitisation tools.
As a next step, the Learning Outcomes per learning element were defined, the training material was created and the questions for self-assessment as well as examination were formulated. As soon as all this is entered into the ECQA examination system, the test courses can start.
These “Learner Events”, as the test courses are called in the project language, will take place in April, May and September 2023 in Bratislava, Cascais and Madrid. Exact dates for the exciting first VI-TRAIN courses can be found here.
Please find more about VI-TRAIN here
Online/digital, or rather virtual training is still new ground for many people. However, if someone has dealt with it, the innovative project of BHOe nevertheless holds surprises: Simply because VI-TRAIN addresses the training needs of built cultural heritage. The participants of the Multiplier Event in Budapest on 22 September 2022 and the opening of the House of Digitisation in Lower Austria on 29 September 2022 were also amazed by the very practical approach that the project offers. Normally, one would rather think of a digital museum or something similar. VI-TRAIN, however, develops very concrete scenarios – or elements – of how building trade activities in Cultural Heritage can be trained virtually. The Erasmus+ project VI-TRAIN is all about training for traditional/threatened trades and dealing with structural damage to historic buildings. There are no Best Practice examples for the special requirements of virtual training in traditional trades, which means that the VI-TRAIN partners are creating them first time. The consortium is currently deciding which trades are best suited for such Best Practice examples, what equipment is needed for those and where these trainings logically should take place. Special attention will be paid to economic and ecological planning as well as appropriate cooperation partners.
Networking meetings in September and October 2022 as part of the Pact for Skills were suitable platforms for an intensive exchange of ideas.
More about the Erasmus+ project VI-TRAIN can be found here
In the Erasmus+ project VI-TRAIN – VIrtual TRAINing for traditional Crafts – the requirements for innovative trainings for traditional crafts/skills at risk and handling of structural damage are developed and prepared for certification by ECQA.
The objectives of VI-TRAIN are to:
– identify suitable virtual training tools for tradespeople (manual work)
– identify suitable means of online collaboration in practical training courses
– derive success criteria for best-possible digital solutions
– develop and test a virtual/3D training system for trades and building damage detection
– investigate and test ways to overcome restrictions
– develop a train-the-trainer system for the application of selected methods in the training of traditional trades.
To meet these challenges, the project partners are looking at usable new techniques, technologies and possibilities of digitalisation. VI-TRAIN partners are analysing these techniques and technologies to assess their usefulness for the purposes of the project.
However, in the case of manual trade work, these examples are missing, which means that partners have to look for parallels in applying such. These procedures are then closely examined to see if they are also suitable for training tradespersons. In addition to the performance of relevant craft activities, also the result must be available virtually. This requires targeted instructions by experienced tradespeople. It is precisely this training that is to be supported by selected digitisation aids.
Suitable Best Practice examples are presented in Country Reports and a summarised EU Report on the VI-TRAIN website since March. Evenly important in this context is data protection for the tools used.
At an Information Day on 8 March 2022, the digital options/possibilities and their use for Cultural Heritage were introduced in a Study Visit at the Institute of Digitalisation and Informatics at IMC Krems.
The Erasmus+ project VI-TRAIN takes up the challenge to develop innovative trainings for traditional/threatened crafts and dealing with structural damages. This is necessary to ensure the longevity and user-friendliness of European Cultural Heritage. The best way to do this is to apply new technologies and digitalisation. The Covid19 crisis has made the issue even more urgent as educational organisations suffer greatly from restrictions and new rules. Traditional education and training activities are threatened by changing Covid19 rules.
VI-TRAIN mainly targets manual craft work. Many of these crafts need a lot of experience and/or specific guidance by experienced craftspeople. It is precisely this training that is supported by selected digitalisation means.
Among other things, VI-TRAIN identifies
– suitable virtual teaching means for craftspeople (manual work)
– develops and tests a virtual/3D training system for crafts
– creates a virtual/3D training system for building damage detection
– compiles a train-the-trainer system for the application of selected methods in training of traditional crafts
In the first months, the consortium sent out a questionnaire on best practice examples to stakeholders. The results respectively the evaluation of questionnaires will be presented and intensively discussed in the kick-off meeting in October 2021.
VI-TRAIN enriches the offer of The European Heritage Academy (EHA), which will be responsible for the implementation of VI-TRAIN training courses after the completion of the project.
VI-TRAIN is an Erasmus+ project co-funded by the European Union.
The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
©2022 – VI-TRAIN