A new initiative will see CITB-ConstructionSkills’ National Specialist Team (NST) partner with its regional Employer Services Team to coordinate specialist training within the Wales Delivering Low Carbon Skills project.
This built environment cross-sector programme between CITB-ConstructionSkills, Asset Skills, Energy & Utility Skills and SummitSkills in Wales is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) programme with additional support from the European Social Fund (ESF). The programme aims to develop appropriate skills, knowledge and training capacity to respond to the future skills challenges of a low carbon economy for Wales.
Aligned to Green Deal objectives, external wall insulation can greatly improve a building’s energy efficiency. Plasterers and other craftspeople will be offered short courses to make them job-ready, including NVQ assessments and off-the-job training developed by the Insulated Render & Cladding Association (INCA) with the NST.
“This is an accessible way to up-skill craftspeople for this work, and the short modules will enhance training capacity in Wales,” NST project manager Bill Brown explains. ?One third of Wales’ total building stock comprises pre-1919 buildings. Sustaining traditional buildings is a cost-effective, environmentally conscious alternative to demolition and reconstruction. The NST is also developing short courses to provide the knowledge and practical skills to carry out essential maintenance and repairs.
Donna Griffiths, Wales Strategic Adviser, says: ‘Our knowledge of the industry in Wales combined with specialist input from the NST has enabled this pilot to get off the ground, which will provide much needed training and skills development.’
The Cut the Carbon campaign – a partnership between CITB-ConstructionSkills, Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) – now offers free email alerts signposting businesses to the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to low carbon policies. Find out more at LINK
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