As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, it is essential that the construction industry has the skills to adapt and to drive change towards a carbon neutral economy and society.
Upskilling in Retrofit and Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) is crucial for industry to meet the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requirements and the goals set out under the government's Housing for All and Climate Action Plan targets.
There has never been a better time to expand your knowledge and upskill with the wide, and ever-increasing selection of industry focused NZEB training programmes delivered nationwide by NZEB Centres of Excellence under the Education and Training Boards (ETB) network.
Fully accredited training delivered by the centres covers all areas of NZEB and retrofit 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, reducing carbon emissions.
Delivered in flexible and hybrid manner
Designed in collaboration with industry for industry, courses are delivered in a flexible and often hybrid manner to minimise time off-site. These short courses are fully accessible to employees and employers and are provided at little to no cost.
Based in Waterford, the NZEB Centre of Excellence at Waterford Wexford ETB employs VR technology to support learners virtually navigate the retrofitting process, supporting them to gain confidence and to become better equipped to apply the knowledge in real-world situations.
Cutting-edge technology is key to ensuring the training meets both the current and future needs of industry, with VR technology an important tool in the NZEB learning experience.
The VR simulator is not just about visualising, but also about interaction and experience. This technology offers repeatable processes to provide a deeper understanding of the course content, helping learners to make real-time decisions.
Learners like Stephen who recently attended the training, have found the use of VR very beneficial “… it gave me a submersive experience without physically wasting material. Also, I found the fact that you are doing something new it makes it stick out more in the memory and so is easier to remember”.
Courses for every level
Courses are suited to every level from starter programmes such as NZEB Fundamental Awareness, trade specific NZEB courses suited for post-apprenticeship, upskilling, to conversion courses. Programmes such as NZEB Retrofit Training, support learners explore the most effective strategies for creating high-quality and energy efficient NZEB buildings.
Having completed an NZEB course at Waterford Wexford ETB as a mature student, managing director of McGrory Homes and qualified construction quantity surveyor Keith McGrory found that his business grew substantially and recommends the course “to everyone – for new students finishing up their degree in most parts of construction, either quantity surveying or construction management or engineers and more importantly, existing professionals who maybe feel that they have maybe missed the boat. But as I went back as a mature student, I find that that's what really, really gave me the edge”.
Part of a suite of national Green Skills Further Education and Training (FET) programmes which provide each learner with the necessary green skills and sustainability awareness to become active agents of change in climate action, NZEB and Retrofit programmes are funded by SOLAS the Further Education and Training authority.
All courses are accredited, including City and Guilds Assured and Construction Industry Federation approved, with Construction Industry Register Ireland Continuous Professional Development points available on completion.
The future of construction is exciting, and with a commitment to sustainability and upskilling in new practices, we can create a better world for ourselves and future generations.
Discover NZEB and Retrofit courses delivered by NZEB Centres of Excellence, including Waterford Wexford ETB at https://www.thisisfet.ie/nzeb/.
Training is also delivered through NZEB Centres of Excellence at Laois and Offaly ETB, Limerick & Clare ETB, Cork ETB, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB and City of Dublin ETB.
