At Efficient Building Solutions (EBS), we're committed to the education of future green leaders and thinkers. Forging partnerships and building networks with educational institutions are fundamental to how we work and are underpinned by two of our core business values - disseminating best practice and championing climate and sustainability, precisely what staff from Green Building Renewables (GBR) and Green Building Store (GBS) have done recently.  

Green Building Renewables at York College  

Last week, GBR's Group Technical Director, John Gilham, EBS's People Director, Jill Delaney, and Marketing Manager, Sarah Johnson, attended a career convention at York College. Together, they had the opportunity to speak to many students making decisions about the subjects they wanted to study and the careers they wanted to pursue.   

The career convention provided a chance to educate both students, and their parents, on the opportunities that a career in renewable technology and energy offers. Engaging with local Colleges and universities and inspiring the future workforce through interview training, open days, work experience, and training is essential for the renewable industry to continue transforming homes, buildings, and the way we use energy in the UK.   

Efficient Building Solutions Marketing Manager, Sarah Johnson, commented,

"I feel enthused by the students at York College following the careers convention we attended. Talking to the students making decisions about the careers they wanted to pursue and the world they wanted to work in was both positive and inspiring."   

At the event, GBR's Group Technical Director, John Gilham, was shown the College's modern training facilities. John discussed with the teaching staff ways the curriculum could be adapted to incorporate more about renewable technology, especially as the industry's need for new renewable heating and electrical engineers for the future only grows.    

John commented,

"The training facilities at the College are excellent. Students using them to learn electrical and engineering skills can start understanding the skills needed for many jobs, including those in the renewable sector. At GBR, we have training facilities for our apprentices in renewable technologies like solar PV, heat pumps and EV chargers. Without such facilities creating a well-trained and educated workforce, consumers risk being taken advantage of by poor installation and work."   

Green Building Store staff offer Passivhaus training to students from Tod College.  

Six future green leaders graduated today (July 1st 2022) from the local learning centre and community hub, Tod College's Green Futures course.   

The course for 16+ year olds has been specially designed to help students develop practical skills in environmental land management, natural building, repair and reuse, energy-saving, and renewable generation schemes. The first-of-its-kind 12-month, part-time course in further education has a practical focus on green careers and has a learner-centred pedagogical approach.  

During the course, the students received educational training from several partner organisations, including the Green Building Store. Former Communications Manager Chayley Collis presented to the students on Passivhaus and retrofit building in one of her final acts before leaving.  

At the award-winning Cre8 Barn on Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Stirley Reserve near Castle Hill in Huddersfield, the students saw and experienced first-hand the benefits and principles of Passivhaus buildings, including Cre8 barn's mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system. The Cre8 Barn was retrofitted to the EnerPHit standard, the Passivhaus standard for retrofit, by Green Building Store's construction team in 2015. News of the graduation and GBS's support was even featured in the local newspaper, The Halifax Courier.   

Jill Delaney, People Director at Green Building Store, commented:   

"Educating the next generation on how we can build more sustainably is crucial. Finding those minds who are inspired and passionate about building a better future has never been so important, especially if the UK is truly to lead the way in reducing our impact on the climate, tackling fuel poverty and creating energy security. We're delighted to see the next generation of green visionaries graduate from Tod College."  

"Green Building Store is committed to employing the best talent. If we can help inspire future green builders and retrofitters, we know we can continue our work into a future that will need such committed and imaginative students as those from the Climate Challenge College."  

The Green Futures course hopes to inspire students to find careers in natural building, growing, sustainable products, consulting, environmental engineering, horticultural therapy, renewable energy, and retrofitting.  

The green job market is growing rapidly. As well as providing training, Green Building Store staff spoke to the students about potential job opportunities in the company and EBS.  

Green Building Store and Green Building Renewables are actively recruiting new staff for various roles. For more information, email jobs@greenbuildingstore.co.uk or go to www.greenbuildingrenewables.co.uk/about/careers/  

Published 1st July 2022