BUILT Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) has announced that more than 1,000 learners have now taken part in its Low Carbon Passport programme, which is designed to develop skills needed to deliver low energy, high-quality buildings.
The fully funded programme, supported through the CITB Industry Impact Fund and led by Tier 1 contractor Balfour Beatty and developed in collaboration with Morrison Construction, Kier Construction, Robertson Group, Coaction and The Passivhaus Trust, set a target to train 1,200 construction workers by the end of 2026.
With just 200 places remaining, the programme is now entering its final phase.
BE-ST said the response reflects growing demand across the construction sector for ‘practical, high-quality’ training that helps improve building performance and supports the transition to net zero.
The Low Carbon Passport delivers skills training which balances a flexible online learning platform with a hands-on practical session. Delivered in partnership with colleges across Scotland and northern England, training has attracted learners from across the built environment, including site operatives, apprentices, supervisors, housing professionals, educators, contractors and manufacturers.
The programme has also expanded beyond direct delivery by BE-ST. Through a train-the-trainer model, colleges have been equipped to embed the learning into their own curriculum, with training now being delivered by partners including City of Glasgow College in Glasgow, Inverness College (UHI) and the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE).
With only nine practical training sessions remaining, learners still have the opportunity to take part at City of Glasgow College, NMITE and the Energy Transition Skills Hub before the programme reaches its 1,200-learner target.
Kirsty Duncan, associate director of skills infrastructure at BE-ST, said, “Reaching 1,000 learners is a significant milestone, but more importantly it shows the appetite across the industry to develop the skills needed to deliver better-performing buildings. We’ve seen learners from right across the built environment take part, reflecting the fact that delivering low carbon, high-quality buildings depend on everyone understanding the principles of building performance.”
