construction
substantial growth of the renewables sector
are expected to drive the development of new skills needs in the industry. However, businesses which are slow to
acquire low carbon knowledge and skills, may find it much harder to win work in the coming years, and the risk of skills shortages and gaps could remain significant unless action is taken to address this. ConstructionSkills is committed to
supporting the low-carbon skills development process within the construction sector, helping to add value to the industry so businesses can succeed and grow. In partnership with the Federation of
Master Builders and the National Specialist Contractors Council we have launched a ‘Cut the Carbon’ campaign (
www.cskills.org/cutcarbon) aiming to directly support construction businesses in Gwent. The site can help SMEs understand what
clients and main contractors, as well as helping to make cost savings for themselves and for their clients. We have already seen some excellent
examples of local businesses which are using innovative materials and developing new ways of working to meet increasing client demand for low carbon construction. For example Cwmbran-based Pendragon (Design and Build)
“
the new carbon legislation is and what it will mean for them, equipping them with a tangible mix of knowledge and skills to respond to increased client demand. This three-year, industry-wide campaign will
help the industry to meet the carbon challenge and companies to become carbon clever, raising awareness of legislation, the timelines and highlighting the new opportunities that the low carbon agenda presents, as well as how to develop the skills and knowledge required to remain competitive in a difficult economic climate. There are many small steps that businesses
in Gwent can take on the sustainability front which can make a significant difference; for example being considered for tenders and frameworks for contracts with public sector
36 THEbusiness QUARTER
ConstructionSkills is committed to supporting the
low-carbon skills development
process within the construction sector
Ltd constructed two ‘PassivHaus’ houses at The Works in Ebbw Vale on the site of the former steelworks. The properties are the first of their kind
in Wales, having been designed to minimise the traditional uses of energy for heating and cooling, relying instead on high levels of insulation, heating from natural sunlight and highly efficient ventilation systems to control the internal temperature. As part of the Cut the Carbon campaign
practical support and training will be available to local businesses to prepare for the changes
needed to the industry’s skills base. ConstructionSkills has been working hard
to identify the needs of the industry going forward, and in conjunction with our partners, we’re developing a range of courses to make sure businesses in Gwent are geared up with the skills they need. An example of this is the ConstructionSkills
led ‘Delivering Low Carbon Skills Project’, in partnership with Asset Skills, SummitSkills and Energy & Utility Skills and supported by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sector Priorities Fund Pilot programme, with additional support from the European Social Fund.
It aims to deliver pilot accredited training
across Wales in a range of craft and technical disciplines, supported by a Training the Trainers programme for college tutors, assessors and work-based learning providers in Wales. It is clear that there are significant
opportunities out there for SME contractors in Gwent to win work through the low carbon agenda, particularly with homeowners who seem to be keen to implement low-carbon solutions from SME contractors working on their homes. SMEs in Gwent should act now to develop
the knowledge and skills they need to maximise on these opportunities, to ensure that they are able to deliver the low-carbon solutions that their clients will want now and in the coming years, and help them remain competitive in the difficult economic climate. For more information about Cut the
Carbon campaign visit
www.cskills.org/ cutcarbon
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