Future Skills in Construction: get ahead with NZEB and Retrofit training. The future of construction is sustainability, with upskilling in Retrofitting and Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) essential for industry and the green economy in light of the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the government’s Housing for All and Climate Action Plan targets.
Joss Power, NZEB VR instructor with WWETB, demonstrating VR equipment to learners.
There has never been a better time to upskill, with a broad and growing range of industry-focused NZEB and Retrofitting training delivered nationwide through six NZEB Centres of Excellence, under the Education and Training Board (ETB) network, which are transforming the future of sustainable construction.
“I couldn’t recommend the NZEB Retrofit [at] Waterford Wexford ETB course enough. The tutors are very knowledgeable, were open to questions and debate and easily passed their skills onto us. The videos were very informative and made the understanding of the subject matter more transparent.” Seamus – Learner (NZEB Retrofit Course).
Keith McGrory of McGrory Homes, former learner with WWETB on a visit to the National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas, Co Offaly.
Flexible and hybrid manner
NZEB and Retrofit courses are delivered in a flexible and hybrid manner, at little to no cost. They are designed to provide engineers, industry professionals and construction workers with the expertise required to ensure buildings are developed with high energy performance in line with industry standards and to reduce carbon emissions.
NZEB and Retrofit courses are part of a broader suite of national Green Skills FET programmes, which aim to provide every learner with green skills and sustainability awareness to become agents of change in climate action.
Funded by SOLAS, the Further Education and Training (FET) authority, the centres provide accredited training in all areas of NZEB and Retrofit, including starter programmes, post-apprenticeship, upskilling, and conversion courses to meet the requirements of the construction industry's sustainability agenda.
As one of the leading NZEB Centres of Excellence in the country, Waterford Wexford ETB’s NZEB Fundamental Awareness course is a great starting point for engineers, construction professionals and workers who wish to improve their expertise in energy retrofitting of dwellings.
This course (one day onsite or two half days online) can lead learners on to a variety of pathways into further NZEB and Retrofit training across various trades, with specific courses identified for both site supervisors and construction workers. Courses are also delivered during the day, in the evenings or at weekends at Waterford Wexford ETB's NZEB Training Centres in Enniscorthy and Waterford city so that they are accessible to employers and employees. They are also short in duration to minimise time off-site and can be tailored to meet the needs of employers.
Digital construction technologies
NZEB and retrofit courses incorporate digital construction technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR) in Retrofit Skills. All courses are City and Guilds Assured and Construction Industry Federation (CIF) approved, with Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points available.
Michelle Barrett, architect with Studio Sonas, visiting the National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas, Co Offaly.
Discover NZEB and Retrofit courses provided by Waterford Wexford ETB in their NZEB Centre of Excellence at www.thisisfet.ie/nzeb.
Training is also delivered through the NZEB Centres of Excellence at Laois and Offaly ETB, Limerick & Clare ETB, Cork ETB, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB and City of Dublin ETB.
Next month we will spotlight the Retrofit course as part of our Green Construction Series.
