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.

“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.

BEST coincides with the launch of the UK Government’s Green Deal, which aims to encourage people to invest in saving energy at home.

“Although the BEST programme will end in 2015, we are determined to leave a valuable legacy,” said programme manager Cerys Ponting.  “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 which will better equip businesses, employees and training providers in Wales through the courses which we will be coordinating.”

Information about BEST is available on the BEST Website or by phoning 029 2087 0990.