Exeter College is delighted to announce the signing of Paul Brown as the College’s lead lecturer in Retrofit and Green Skills. Paul is delivering vital training to upskill the local workforce through the College’s Green Construction Skills Bootcamps. The 12 week bootcamps offer hands-on training for domestic retrofit, providing a strong understanding of the retrofit agenda and a Level 2 Award in Domestic Retrofit. As suggested by local businesses, the bootcamps offer added value modules through the National Energy Action (NEA) charity to support upskilling in fuel poverty, energy efficiency, decarbonisation and more.

Paul started as an Apprentice plasterer restoring ornamental plasterwork and installing external wall insulation. He then moved into management and through further education and career development, obtained senior directorship roles across companies in the housing, commercial, retail, and renewable sectors.

In 2016, Paul designed and developed an innovative new product for the insulation sector and took it to market, launching SWIFIX. Following this, Paul took a role in the social housing sector, leading large teams across the South West as regional Head of Operations.

In the last 15 years, Paul has been involved in renewables and insulation works and recently became a retrofit coordinator. As a member of the training committee within the Insulated and Cladding Association (INCA),  Paul is at the forefront of change in the sector, developing the skills needed for the retrofit requirements.

Paul also plays an active role in the Green Construction Advisory Panel (GCAP), collaborating with businesses across the South West, encouraging the development of industry specific qualifications and skills. Paul told us;

“The development of Green Skills through short qualifications, upskilling and Apprenticeships is key to ensuring the future growth of the sector. Establishing a curriculum that is adaptable, flexible, and responsive to the needs of businesses is critical to meet net zero targets. Through GCAP, we are not only upskilling the current workforce but also educating the next and future generations of the construction industry.”

We welcome Paul to Exeter College and thank him for the outstanding contribution he has made to the College in the brief time he has spent here.

Learn more about GCAP and the people responsible for creating change across the region:

To find out more information about the Green Skills Bootcamps, please contact Laura Hutton on 01392 400800 or email laurahutton@exe-coll.ac.uk.