New West Lothian eco training centre will help Scotland reach net zero targets
Scotland’s first eco construction training centre is teaching students key skills to deliver net zero targets.
The newly opened state-of-the-art facility at West Lothian College supports sustainable construction and energy efficiencies. It was constructed by award-winning McTaggart Construction and will provide training for 500 young people in its first year.
The Ecohouse has two buildings. One is completed to Platinum Building standards with certified air tightness and thermal properties. The other is a shell house for developing skills, knowledge and practical experience in sustainable construction, as well as efficient and effective renewable energy.
Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, officially opened the Skills Centre for Sustainable Living last month. He said: “This unique launch will help address the changing skills needs of industry sectors aiming to achieve a net zero economy. Supporting Scotland’s current and future workforce to develop the skills needed for the net zero transition is a priority and I’m pleased to see our funding used for such an innovative project, especially one so founded in partnership working.”
Janice Russell, Managing Director of McTaggat Construction, said: “We are delighted to be part of a much-needed project to create a highly skilled workforce for the future, capable of working on the latest sustainable and renewable technologies and meeting industry needs.”
One of the houses is built to low-carbon standards with triple glazing, solar panels, an air source heat pump, heat recovery ventilations and electric car charging, Performance Certificate analysis; PV (devices that convert sunlight into electrical energy) analysis, and electric vehicle charging.
The shell house is the same size as the main house but with no internal fittings or walls, for developing the practical skills to retrofit to low-carbon standards and test the integrity of the work on completion.
Training includes: Installation, testing and commissioning of air source heat pumps; PV panel installations; solar thermal installations; alternative forms of internal heating installations; EPC calculations; air tightness testing and monitoring, and; external and internal wall insulation.
It delivers training and upskilling opportunities in: air tightness testing; thermal imaging; MHVR (heat recovery ventilation) testing; Energy
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