Pioneering New Green Skills Courses launches in Leeds

Green skills are vital to the country’s future and to achieving our net zero ambitions. Green Building Renewables is committed to training and educating the Green Skills force of the future. We’re extremely proud to announce our recent involvement in a pioneering Green Skills course that launched in Leeds, in which we played an active role.

Why Green Skills are so relevant right now

Today (July 17th, 2024), in his speech in Parliament, King Charles III pledged that his government will pursue sustainable growth by investing in skills and green technology. He also announced the establishment of Skills England.

Skills England will be embedded within the Industrial Strategy Council and Migration Advisory Committee to “identify skills and labour needs”, but it is also mandated to work with devolved nations, businesses, and combined authorities to meet the government’s plans for their industrial strategy and Green Prosperity Plan. 

The Green Skills for Construction Course launch at Kirkstall Forge, Leeds, couldn’t have been more timely, and we were delighted to play an integral role in its formation alongside other local organisations and green businesses.

What is the Green Skills for Construction Course?

The pioneering course designed to equip learners with essential green skills for the construction industry was developed in partnership with I-Consult LTD, ICON Group, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), and West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC) to create a sustainable future by training a new generation of construction professionals.

Over the past six months, we have collaborated with I-Consylt LTD Icon Group and other leading businesses and industry experts across the region to develop this innovative program.

The course aims to provide learners with the necessary skills to excel in the construction industry while promoting sustainability. The course focuses on bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those with non-traditional routes into the industry.

The first cohort of 12 students exemplified this diversity, comprising graduates, college students, single parents returning to work, and individuals from various parts of the world.

Ewan Metcalf, Founder of I-Consult Yorkshire Ltd, expressed his excitement: “It has been inspiring to see the group of students bond so quickly in a close-knit community united by a common goal.”

What was in the Green Skills for Construction Course?

The course was three weeks long. In the first week, the students had basic site skills training, including CSCS card, site operative training and first aid training, which set a strong foundation for the learners.

In the second week of the course, students covered a wide range of green skills, including renewable energy, which Green Building Renewables delivered, insulating concrete forms (ICF), retrofit building techniques, Passivhaus building practices, and sustainable drainage systems.

In the final week, they gained interview experience, which Green Building Renewables also helped deliver, and experience on construction sites.

Ewan Meltcalf emphasises the importance of this initiative, especially in light of recent political changes and today’s King Speech: “Following the recent election result, there is a real opportunity for the new government to take a lead and embrace the challenge of training more people in the green skills needed to meet the country’s net-zero targets.”

Green Building Renewables and businesses like Leeds City Council, Purehaus, Bondmor Building Services, and ICF Building Solutions were committed to supporting this course.

Craig Stewart, our Learning and Development Manager, highlighted the industry’s need for skilled professionals: “The renewables industry is facing a skills shortage if we don’t find ways to inspire and train people in the green skills needed to meet our net zero targets. The course that Ewan and his team have created is a great way to encourage people to seek opportunities in sustainable construction.”

You can read more about the course’s launch in The Yorkshire Post Here

The role of technology in Green Skills in Construction Course

We were particularly excited about the course’s incorporation of Virtual Reality technology provided by Focus XR. This technology allows students to experience on-site projects within the safety of a classroom, broadening the scope of their learning.

Mark Paddock, Co-Founder of Focus XR, stated, “The opportunity for students to experience an on-site project within the safety of a classroom opens up the ways in which we can train people. Our XR technology brings classrooms and training to every doorstep, making excellent education accessible.”

The Future of Green Skills at Green Building Renewables

We’re committed to training our staff and the team we recruit to build a skilled Green workforce of the future to meet the UK’s renewable targets and ambitions. We already have training facilities available in several of our regional hubs, and we have bold ambitions for the future and what we can achieve. So, watch this space!

If you are interested in a career with Green Building Renewables, then check out our current vacancies here.