A major new training programme for professionals in the built environment sector
aims to put Wales at the forefront of sustainability expertise.

Built Environment Sustainability Training (BEST) will offer flexible, subsidised
training to develop knowledge and skills in the latest sustainability practices –
particularly in construction, energy, waste, and water.

Courses will be offered to people who live or work in one of Wales’ Convergence
areas, from autumn 2013.

The EU-backed programme will be officially launched by Deputy Minister for Skills
and Technology, Jeff Cuthbert, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on May 1st.

“We will pull together the very best training providers to deliver training which will
benefit businesses, employees, the environment and the economy of Wales,” said
programme director, Dr Julie Gwilliam, of the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff
University.

“Training will be for people such as energy assessors and advisors, architects,
planners, engineers, maintenance teams, surveyors, site supervisors and many
other related roles. We’re especially keen to involve women and people aged over
50 working across different areas of the built environment.”

Training will be designed to be flexible through delivery outside of working hours
or online in order to minimise inconvenience and time away from work. BEST
is led by the Welsh School of Architecture in partnership with, Asset Skills,
CITBConstructionSkills, Constructing Excellence in Wales, the Energy Saving Trust,
Proskills and SummitSkills.

It is supported by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government to
deliver training until July 2015.

“Although the BEST programme is currently due to end in 2015, we are determined
to leave a valuable legacy,” added Dr Gwilliam. “We will work with key stakeholders
with responsibilities for the skills of the energy, waste, water and built environment
sectors to create a 10-year strategy and training delivery roadmap. This will better
equip businesses, employees and training providers in Wales through the courses
which we will be coordinating.”

Information about BEST is available at www.best.cf.ac.uk or by phoning 029 2087
0990.