Guildford College Champions Launch of Surrey’s Green Construction Advisory Panel

Published on: 19 Jul, 2024
Updated on: 19 Jul, 2024

Guildford College has led the launch of a green construction advisory panel in Surrey.

The panel is part of a nationwide project originally launched by the British Association of Construction Heads.

The advisory panel is made up of building services, housing and construction businesses, and is supported by government agencies, charities and training providers.

It aims to promote, enhance and develop sustainable training and education opportunities for the housing and construction industries.

Some of the members of the green construction advisory panel for Surrey, pictured at Guildford College.

Its mission is to close the skills gap and create entry pathways into green careers. It also aims to aspire to educate both the current and future workforce on adapting to emerging technologies, considering environmental impacts and helping the industry meet net-zero targets.

Established by Exeter College two years ago, its green construction advisory panel has brought together employers, training providers, manufacturers and other regional stakeholders in the South West to drive the “green skills” agenda locally.

This has created a template model which can be repeated across the UK and internationally, with the Nepalese government already embedding the advisory panel model into policy.

More than 30 training providers throughout the UK have committed to the initiative, now with 19 regional centres.

Along with Guildford College (part of Activate Learning), Surrey advisory panel members are Brooklands College, East Surrey College, Nescot (North East Surrey College of Technology) and local authorities including Surrey County Council.

From September, all students studying a construction pathway at Guildford College will have a Level 1 Award in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability embedded into their course.

Students will learn about retrofitting, where new features and technologies such as installing double glazing, loft installation, heat pumps and solar panels are added to older properties to make them more energy efficient.

Find out about Construction pathways at Guildford College or phone 0800 612 6008.

Local businesses, housing associations, schools and so on, wishing to join the green construction advisory panel can contact Geoff Coughlan, national vice-chair of the British Association of Construction Heads and director of construction and engineering at Activate Learning, via email to SurreyGCAP@ActivateLearning.ac.uk