Eat Your Greens: Free Webinar Series to Support Green Skills in Education
Exeter College is proud to support the Eat Your Greens online webinar series, running throughout June and into July. This free, four-part series is brought to you by NOCN Group, in partnership with EducationScape, and builds on the success of their previous Green Skills webinar initiative.
As part of the Green Skills Advisory Panel (GSAP) offer to colleges, Eat Your Greens is designed to equip tutors, lecturers, careers advisors, and educators with the foundational knowledge needed to deliver renewable construction technologies with confidence. Each session is lunchtime-friendly, CPD-accredited, and rich with practical insight.
Who Should Attend?
FE Colleges & Training Providers
Tutors, Lecturers & Curriculum Leads
Careers Advisors & Skills Planners
Sustainability & Retrofit Champions
Whether you’re just beginning to explore green curriculum development or looking to deepen your expertise, this series is tailored for educators at all stages.
About the Webinar:
Each 45-minute session starts at 12:15pm and focuses on a key pillar of the UK’s green transition:
Week 1 (10 June): Introduction to Insulation
Week 2 (17 June): Introduction to Solar PV, EV & Battery Storage
Week 3 (24 June): Introduction to Heat Pumps
Week 4 (1 July): Introduction to Retrofit
Why Attend?
Discover light, mid, and dark green skills solutions from NOCN Group
Learn how to embed green technologies into your curriculum or apprenticeship offer
Gain real-world insights from leading delivery partners, including:
Exeter College
Quantum Group
HS Energy
SWIFIX Ltd
Daikin
EWI Pro
Installation Assurance Authority (IAA)
NOCN
Members of the Green Skills Advisory Panel
Explore a broad portfolio of qualifications, short courses, and online CPD learning
Supporting a Net Zero Future
NOCN Group, a leading international education charity, is committed to powering the UK’s transition to a Net Zero economy. Through a robust suite of sustainability-focused qualifications and training, they are helping to shape the workforce of tomorrow.
By participating in Eat Your Greens, you’ll be helping to bridge the green skills gap and prepare your learners for the jobs of the future.
Celebrating the Success of Collaboration: Green Skills Achievement by Exeter College and East Devon District Council
Exeter College and East Devon District Council (EDDC) are proud to announce significant achievements through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) East Devon Retrofit Programme. This project aims to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for students, residents and businesses of East Devon through a broad range of retrofit and renewable courses, which is a priority in EDDC’s Economic Development Strategy.
Available to the public and construction professionals, Exeter College has designed and delivered short flexible courses to provide foundational knowledge and skills progression to promote sustainable methods of construction.
This project also focuses on school engagement, delivering green careers talks and workshops to secondary schools across East Devon. This collaborative effort has significantly contributed to raising awareness of green careers, training, and skills to pupils from Years 7 – 11.
Key achievements of the project include:
Raising Awareness: Over 1,000 students from East Devon secondary schools have been introduced to green careers, training, and skills in construction
Certification and Qualifications: More than 100 East Devon residents have gained certificates or qualifications in retrofit, solar, heat pump, insulation and teaching
Supporting Industry Professionals: 6 construction professionals have been supported into education by gaining the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, addressing the skills shortage in the sector
These achievements would not have been possible without the generosity, time and commitment of key contributors from across the region. We would like to take this opportunity to thank:
Daikin – Leading the Introduction to Heat Pumps course and providing essential knowledge on energy-efficient heating solutions.
Naked Solar– Delivering the Introduction to Solar course, and equipping participants with fundamental insights into solar energy systems.
Paul Brown, Green Skills Lecturer at Exeter College & Managing Director of Swifix – Leading both the Introduction to Retrofit and Level 2 Understanding Domestic Retrofit courses.
Bradfords Building Supplies – Supporting modern methods of construction by opening their East Devon branches to promote awareness of sustainable building materials.
Exeter College would also like to recognise those employers who have supported our school engagement events; BCR Associates, Taylor Wimpey, Coreus Group, Progressive, Willmott Dixon, SDS, Kier, Bell Group, Generation 4 Change, Ward Williams and Shared Apprenticeships. The generosity, dedication, and support of our valued employer partners have had a profound impact on students in the region, enhancing their understanding of green skills, guiding their next steps, and opening doors to future career opportunities in the sector.
“We are thrilled with the positive impact this project has had on our community,” said Luke Moss, Skills Manager at Exeter College. “By working together, we have not only enhanced educational opportunities for our young people and adults but also supported the growth of green careers and sustainable practices across our region.”
Cllr Paul Hayward, East Devon District Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy and Assets, said:
“Supporting our residents to upskill and reskill into green careers is vital to developing the workforce we need to reach Net Zero by 2040. I’m delighted that we have been able to provide free opportunities for businesses and individuals to develop new skills and inspire the next generation to pursue jobs in clean growth industries.”
Whilst we are proud to celebrate our shared successes to date, we also recognise the importance of continuing this vital partnership. By ensuring the long-term impact and longevity of this project, we can continue to remove barriers to training and increase job opportunities for the students, residents and businesses of East Devon. For more information about future courses, please visit the Green Skills Advisory Panel website.
For more information, please contact: Luke Moss, Skills Manager, Exeter College, lukemoss@exe-coll.ac.uk.
Building Greater Exeter: A New Chapter of Growth and Community Collaboration
Building Greater Exeter is proud to announce its transition from Exeter City Council to Exeter College, marking an exciting evolution in the group’s journey. This transition reflects the group’s steadfast commitment to fostering community engagement, enhancing educational opportunities for young people and adults, and collaborating on skills plans that drive growth and prosperity across Exeter, East Devon and Teignbridge.
Exeter College extends its heartfelt gratitude to Exeter City Council for their dedication and the significant impact and outcomes they have achieved. The City Council have laid a strong foundation, and we acknowledge their invaluable contributions to the community.
Building Greater Exeter is a not-for-profit public and private sector initiative, aimed at supporting businesses within the built environment and closing construction skills gaps in and around Exeter, East Devon and Teignbridge. It addresses the shortage of skilled construction workers and promotes developments which have a positive local impact around social value. Its mission is to inspire new candidates, support employers, and promote a culture that makes the built environment a great sector in which to work.
As we embark on this new chapter, Exeter College reaffirms its commitment to the steering group members and the broader community. Together, we will continue to champion initiatives that inspire engagement, collaboration, and progress.
Our focus remains clear:
Driving Engagement for Young People and Adults: Building Greater Exeter will prioritise innovative programmes and resources to support learners of all ages, empowering them with knowledge, skills, and opportunities to explore careers in construction and the built environment.
Fostering Collaboration Across Skills Plans: Working with partners, businesses, and stakeholders, we will create a cohesive approach to skills development, ensuring alignment with community needs and long-term economic growth.
Strengthening Community Ties: Building Greater Exeter will actively engage with the local community to ensure that their voices are heard and reflected in our initiatives.
This transition is not only a continuation of past successes but also a renewed promise to deliver impactful programmes that benefit individuals looking to embark on a career in Construction and the Built Environment. We invite the community, partners, and stakeholders to join us in shaping this next phase of Building Greater Exeter’s journey. Together, we will build on the legacy of excellence, strengthen our shared vision, and pave the way for a brighter future.
We are already busy preparing for our relaunch event on Thursday 27th February at the Future Skills Centre, Exeter. This event will welcome keynote speakers from across the sector providing timely updates on current and future local construction projects and Employment and Skills plans. To register for this event, please book your free ticket here.
If you would like to get involved with our activities or are interested in becoming a member of Building Greater Exeter, please contact the Building Greater Exeter Project Manager, Luke Moss, Project Manager; Lukemoss@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400996.
South West based Green Construction Advisory Panel (GCAP) to be rolled out nationally with BACH
The British Association of Construction Heads (BACH) has launched a collaborative programme with the Green Construction Advisory Panel (GCAP) to roll it out across the UK.
GCAP is a member-led committee comprising of building services, housing, and construction businesses, supported by government agencies, charities, and training providers across the UK. GCAP aims to promote, enhance, and develop sustainable training and education opportunities for the housing and construction industries. Our mission is to close the skills gap and create entry pathways into green careers. We 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, GCAP has successfully and impactfully 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 is replicable not only across the UK but also internationally, with the Nepalese Government embedding the GCAP model into policy.
To date, over thirty training providers throughout the UK have already committed to GCAP, including local authorities and charities. GCAP currently boasts nineteen regional Centre’s who will collaborate with local stakeholders to understand more about the skills landscape and work towards action-based outcomes.
BACH will be responsible for establishing the GCAP model across the UK via its established structure in England & Wales and its contacts in Northern Ireland and Scotland over the next three years and beyond.
Mike Blakeley of GCAP and Exeter College said:
“GCAP has had a huge influence on our approach to ‘Green Skills’, careers engagement and collaboration with regards to the College’s approach to Net Zero. It has grown from 12 founder members to over 160 and expanding it nationally is a natural evolution. We know that the impact of BACH’s support in doing this will be both significant and positive.”
Graham Hasting-Evans, President of BACH and Chief Executive of international skills solutions provider NOCN Group, added:
“To address the existential challenge of climate change we need a radical change in skills across the whole of the construction workforce, affecting both existing occupations and the new ‘green jobs’ which are rapidly emerging. This cannot be run centrally; local areas and employers are best placed to drive the modularized changes needed as and when they are required in a practical and pragmatic way.
“GCAP has demonstrated the great benefit of this ‘bottom-up’ approach and we at BACH are delighted to be able to support rolling this out across the UK.”
BACH was established 40 years ago to bring together Further Education Colleges and other providers that deliver construction training in building, civil engineering and business service engineering. Over the last two years, BACH members have been collaboratively focusing on the challenge of ‘Net Zero’ through the development of ‘Green Skills’ and the national roll out of GCAP is a key next step in this initiative.
Green Construction Advisory Panel recognised in the Exeter Sustainability Awards
The Green Construction Advisory Panel (GCAP) has been awarded the ‘School/ Educational Organisation’ winner in the Exeter Sustainability Awards 2022.
GCAP is a member-led committee of over thirty local building service, housing, and construction businesses, supported by local authorities, charities and training providers across the South West. The group exists to improve and develop sustainable training and education opportunities for the housing and construction industry.
Exeter City council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and committed to making Exeter a carbon-neutral city by 2030, twenty years earlier than the government’s national commitment of 2050.
The construction sector is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the city of Exeter. To ensure Exeter reaches the target of carbon neutral by 2030, homes across the city need to be made more energy efficient. As part of this, the council’s retrofit programme will see whole houses refurbished with heat pumps, wall and roof insulation, and solar panel photovoltaic roof panels to deliver the highest energy standards.
Whist demand for retrofit is high across Exeter and the wider Devon region, there is a shortage of skilled labour to deliver the programme.
Supported by local funding streams, including the Social Development Fund (SDF) and in collaboration with Heart of the South West LEP, GCAP has been formed to help develop and create training programmes and qualifications to train the future workforce in green construction skills such as retrofit.
These qualifications will be available to those already working in the construction sector wishing to upskill and will also be introduced in schools and colleges across Devon to educate students about new and emerging sustainable technologies and their environmental impact.
WATCH: Green Construction Advisory Panel
GCAP’s collaborative approach in bringing together leaders from the construction sector with local authorities, schools and training providers is creating a clear pipeline for those undergoing green construction training to progress into prime jobs and careers.
GCAP has been recognised in the Exeter Sustainability Awards for already having made significant impact. As a result of the group’s activities, green construction is now on the curriculum in all Exeter schools and Exeter College has launched England’s first Green Construction Bootcamp. This short course gives learners hands-on training on domestic retrofit, with a fabric first curriculum covering practical training on external wall insulation, heat pumps and loft insulation, as well as upskilling on low carbon technologies such as PV’s, solar hot water heating, battery storage and more.
A state-of-the-art Retrofit Skills Centre has also been commissioned to train and upskill construction workers in retrofit.
Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeship and Future Skillsat Exeter College explains;
“The College has ambitious plans to develop the first Retrofit Skills Centre in Devon, working in collaboration with Taylor Lewis and APG architecture. The centre will be an essential addition to the existing Construction Centre. This will provide opportunities to upskill the current workforce and encourage green careers, where individuals are educated about new and emerging technologies and techniques, reducing the impact on the environment.“
Adam, Director of APG Architecture mentions;
“80% of the homes we will be living in by 2050 are already built. There are over 40,000 homes in Exeter that need Retrofitting! There is a skills shortage that needs to be rapidly addressed to ensure that the skilled labour is available to deliver the sustainable change that the built environment so desperately needs. The Retrofit Skills Centre is an extension to Exeter College on Falcon Road. Building upon Exeter College’s successful construction training programme’s this purpose-built training facility will provide education for both apprentices and professionals alike. The architecture provides an elegant and low carbon shell to enclose the ‘site inspired’ teaching spaces within (whilst also generating energy and harvesting rainwater for use within the building). Collaborating with the GCAP members we are ensuring that the teaching environment provides all of the necessary assets for the retrofit programme to provide the much-needed skills that are currently so short in the construction industry, enabling decarbonisation targets to be achieved through retrofit. We are expecting the Retrofit Skills Centre being operational at the start of term in September 2023.“
GCAP Group Photo
GCAP’s activities are not just having a positive impact across the South West, but also on a national scale by demonstrating how to deliver net zero in construction. It is for this ambitious and forward-thinking activity that the group has been celebrated in the Exeter Sustainability Awards.
The Exeter Sustainability Award scheme launched in 2022 to champion the organisations and community groups that are going the extra mile to help make Exeter carbon neutral by 2030.
If you would like to learn more about the Green Construction Advisory Panel, you can view the strategy here, and contact lukemoss@exe-coll.ac.uk.
