Exeter College, in collaboration with Bradfords Building Supplies and East Devon District Council, successfully completed a series of events aimed at raising awareness of retrofit and renewable technologies. These events, held at Bradfords’ Axminster, Honiton, and Exmouth branches, were part of the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) project designed to benefit East Devon residents and businesses.

The SPF project, a joint initiative between East Devon District Council and Exeter College, seeks to extend the reach of retrofit and renewable technology education beyond traditional learning environments. Bradfords and Exeter College joined forces to explore innovative ways to engage a broader audience, including both Bradfords customers and the public.

On specific days in February and March, Exeter College, along with renewable suppliers and members of the Green Skills Advisory Panel, took over the three Bradfords branches. These events provided valuable information, advice, and guidance on renewable technologies, the whole house retrofit approach, sustainable materials, and the training opportunities available at Exeter College.

The events were designed to serve as a one-stop shop for attendees to learn about the latest advancements in renewable technologies and sustainable building practices. Through targeted advertising, the events successfully attracted a diverse audience, eager to explore the benefits of retrofitting and renewable energy solutions.

Giles Bradford, Head of Sustainability at Bradfords commented;

“The scale of the retrofit challenge in the region is huge. It’s great to see local authorities getting behind schemes like this to help people understand retrofit and the solutions available. We were pleased to be able to provide a platform for this given our close relationship with both those who are going to need to do the improvements required and the supply chain for the solutions they will install.”

Luke Moss, Skills and Project Manager at Exeter College added;

“Our collaboration with Bradfords has expanded our reach, enabling us to share vital information on retrofitting, renewable energy, and essential skills. By offering a comprehensive one-stop shop for the public and trades professionals alike, we are breaking down barriers and facilitating engagement with the broader supply chain. We are excited to continue this partnership through our Green Skills Advisory Panel and Building Greater Exeter connections.”

We extend our thanks to East Devon District Council for their unwavering support with the SPF project and to Bradfords Building Supplies for generously allowing us to take over their branches for these events. We would also like to thank the suppliers and retrofit professionals who kindly gave up their time to attend the events, providing their expert advice.

Upcoming Courses

There is still time to sign up for our remaining courses, including Introduction to Heat Pumps, Solar, and Retrofit, as well as our Level 2 Understanding Domestic Retrofit qualification.

To find out more please contact: Luke Moss, Skills and Project Manager, lukemoss@exe-coll.ac.uk, 01392 400996.