LOCAL builders are skilling-up in sustainable building techniques thanks to an education trip to Germany.
A group of 15 construction workers have travelled to Biberach an der Ria for two weeks thanks to CITB-ConstructionSkills NI.
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI secured funding for the Building Skills for Sustainable Construction project from the European Commission’s Leonardo programme, which is managed by Ecorys in the UK.
The local builders wanted to improve their knowledge of sustainable construction methods, renewable energy and environmental standards and hope to be able to transfer the skills and knowledge they have gained to the Northern Ireland construction industry in order to meet local energy targets in the near future.
The two-week programme includes a comprehensive appraisal of current construction techniques applied in Germany, including air-tightness, thermal bridges, passive house projects and ventilation systems, with a focus on timber construction.
Participants will also get a chance to put theory into practice by constructing workshop models of various junction details that are particularly relevant and key to achieving improved energy performance standards in all sorts of builds.
The programme is being delivered by KOMZET (a Centre of Vo-cational Excellence in Timber Construction and Finishings).
This innovative programme has already been well received and this is the second group to travel from Northern Ireland.
The skills and knowledge gained in sustainable construction methods will not only be used in the design and maintenance of properties but also in the retro-fitting of existing housing stock to reduce energy consumption.
In addition, the group will be able to transfer these skills to the wider construction supply chain in their daily dealings with suppliers, clients, designers and subcontractors, and also to apprentices and undergraduates through links to training and education.
The group participated in a four-week language and cultural training prior to their trip.