A grant funded training initiative is being introduced to Norfolk and Suffolk to support the construction industry in an energy efficient way.
The Fabric First Institute will teach people from a full range of trades within the construction industry to deliver homes to the Passivhaus standard, a building standard that focuses on energy efficiency.
The £200k funded year-long training programme was developed in support of the Norwich City Council’s £300 million Fabric First Framework which plans to see the development of hundreds of homes to the Passivhaus standard over the next four years.
Jackie Richards from Whole House Energy, the Project Managers, commented: “There is a real and immediate need for multiple contractors to be upskilled.
“There are already a comparatively high number of Certified Passivhaus Tradespeople in the Eastern Region but this training can be expensive and exclude many would-be contractors from accessing the skills and knowledge.”
Training will focus on core principles of Fabric First and Passivhaus building methods, covering aspects from building fabric to ventilation. It will be open to any small or medium sized builder, plumber or electrician in the region.
Ms Richards continued: “For contractors there are growing business opportunities within the Passivhaus market and in order to capitalise on these opportunities contractors and their sub-contractor supply chain need to be suitably equipped and informed on what a Passivhaus project entails.
“The Institute provides an affordable option for training and should, long term, result in local businesses being able to both deliver high quality energy efficient buildings while giving themselves a distinct competitive advantage.”
The Fabric First Institute has been made possible thanks to a grant from the New Anglia Skills Deal Programme, provided by Norfolk County Council, Suffolk local authorities and the Skills Funding Agency. This has been match-funded by 25 project partners including nine regional contractors.
Courses will be held at Easton and Otley College, Easton Campus, opening its doors on 2 November for training to begin.
