NatWest partners on free retrofit training for construction workers
The banking giant is collaborating with the Supply Chain Sustainability School and aims to upskill through a new learning platform.
Overall, 80,000 registered users can now access free training on the platform, with 17 specialisms available to study. These include energy and carbon, waste and circular economics.
It is the first time the two organisations have worked together, with the UK bank now joining an existing list of more than 200 Supply Chain Sustainability School partners within the built environment industry and associated networks. The sector currently contributes around 40% of global emissions, so there is an urgent need to decarbonise existing building stock in order to stand a chance at reaching net zero by 2050.
Ian Heptonstall, director of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, said: ‘Our mission is to enable a sustainable built environment through knowledge and collaboration, however most of our work to date has focused on new builds.
‘To truly fulfil our mission, we must pivot towards the existing building stock, crafting and delivering learning experiences that empower the UK to retrofit its structures with cutting-edge technologies and systems, positioning us to fulfil our net zero commitments. We look forward to tackling climate change through retrofit with NatWest Group.’
‘As one of the largest lenders in the UK, we have a key role to play in supporting consumers and businesses in transitioning to more energy efficient homes and buildings that are warmer, cheaper to heat, and generate lower emissions,’ James Close, head of climate change at NatWest Group said. ‘Decarbonising properties will require retrofitting existing buildings to increase their energy efficiency, constructing new energy efficient buildings and decarbonisation of electricity and heating supply.’
James added: ‘We want to work at scale to increase demand. But we need the skills and companies to carry out the work and we also want to make it as easy for our customers to retrofit as possible. Our collaboration with the Supply Chain Sustainability School will help cultivate a more mature retrofit supply chain, share knowledge, and build the skills needed to retrofit homes and buildings across the UK.’
More on retrofitting:
Leeds City Council decarbonisation scheme celebrated for cutting fuel poverty
How Essex County Council fuelled economic growth with energy retrofits
Image: Benjamin Elliott