Focused on traditional buildings and their energy efficient retrofit, the National Trust (NT) and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) have teamed up with the Environment Study Centre to deliver specialist training across England and Wales, with funding from CITB, in a programme also formally recognised by the IHBC for CPD purposes and offering some subsidised places.
The programme was launched last month at the FMB’s national conference in Brighton by Brian Berry the Chief Executive of the FMB, Rory Cullen, Head of Building at the National Trust and John Edwards of Edwards Hart Consultants, who will deliver the training, wit the last two both Full members of the IHBC.
The course was developed by CITB’s National Construction College and specialist building consultancy Edwards Hart. Director of Edwards Hart, John Edwards said: ‘Traditional buildings make up over a quarter of the UK building stock, and it is very common to treat them as modern buildings with many unintended consequences’.
John added: ‘It is so important for everyone in the industry to understand the basics of traditional buildings and how to make them sustainable and energy efficient and this course goes some way in that direction’.
This two-day course is the only course of its kind that delivers a qualification and is independently accredited by the Scottish Qualification Authority.
The National Trust will also see many of their people train and get qualified. Head of Buildings at the National Trust Rory Cullen said: ‘The National Trust may have many fine country mansions but it also has thousands of small dwellings, many of which are not listed’.
Rory added: ‘We would like to see as many of our people as possible take part in this training and believe that only by improving our knowledge, will we properly and safely improve our valuable buildings’.
The course takes a holistic approach and identifies the many other ways in which buildings can be made more energy efficient and sustainable before contemplating retrofit.
John Edwards added: ‘It’s a huge mistake to jump in and retrofit without first properly understanding the building and it condition and that’s the approach that this course takes’.
The course has been refreshed as a result of this new programme and includes latest innovations and research by BRE, Historic England, STBA and others and is being offered as a subsidised rate, but places are limited.
For more information and to book please visit the Environment Study Centre website at https://environmentstudycentre.org/
