NI Construction Workers Gain Vital Sustainable Skills To Benefit Local Industry

The first of two groups of local construction workers have returned back from Biberach in Germany having developed their skills in sustainable construction methods, renewable energy and environmental standards.

The ‘Building Skills for Sustainable Construction’ project is organised by CITBConstructio Skills NI and funded by the European Commission’s Leonardo programme which is managed by Ecorys in the UK.

The two-week programme is a comprehensive appraisal of current construction techniques applied in Germany, including ai tightness, thermal bridges, passive house projects and ventilation systems, with a focus on timber construction.

Highlights of the trip included a visit to the Energon building in Ulm, a five storey office built to Passive House standards, as well as time spent in the workshop constructing models of various junction details that are particularly relevant and key to achieving improved energy performance standards.

The programme was delivered by KOMZET, which is a Centre of Vocational Excellence in Timber Construction and Finishings. The skills and knowledge gained will be utilised in the design and maintenance of properties as well as in the retrofitting of existing housing stock to reduce energy consumption.

In addition, the group will be able to transfer these skills to the wider construction supply chain in their daily dealings with suppliers, clients, designers and subcontractors, and also to apprentices and undergraduates through links to training and education.

Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI said: “Government targets for more sustainable homes as well as higher demand from customers mean that the skills provided through this training programme are vital for those working in the industry.

Over the two weeks the group worked hard and learnt a lot about sustainable construction methods and how they can be applied not as part of a special project but as the normal construction practice.”

Mr Neilson added: “It is this practical experience that will give participants the opportunity to progress in their current roles or to develop their own business to incorporate energy efficient building.”

The second group of fifteen construction workers will travel to Biberach in September to complete the same programme, and a celebration of success event will be arranged for all thirty participants later in the year.

For more information on this project and others, please log on to our website at www.citbcsni.org.uk – follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CITBConstructionSkillsNI – and find us on Twitter @CITBNI.