Working with Skills Development Scotland and Sustrans Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful has developed an exciting programme of accredited climate emergency training to help upskill people involved with the construction sector, so they have the knowledge required to respond to the climate emergency and move towards a net zero society.

The training is for anyone living in Scotland over the age of 25 involved with the construction sector and will help participants understand the climate emergency and respond to the impacts, risks, responsibilities and opportunities ahead on their way to becoming certified as Carbon Literate.

For individuals and organisations involved with the construction sector in the early stages of considering climate change impacts and planning for net zero, this training provides a fantastic opportunity to get started.

Sector-specific training for the energy and transport sectors is also available, in addition to a course open to anyone over the age of 25 living in Scotland.

Catherine Gee, deputy chief executive for Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “This course is accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project and is an important certification for participants involved with the construction sector to take back into the workplace.

“Everyone involved with Scotland’s construction sector has a part to play in developing their skills to help meet our ambitious climate targets. And this training offers a practical and immediate start on doing just that whatever their role, or level of an organisation they work at.”

Jenny MacDonald, sector development manager with Skills Development Scotland, said: “Skills Development Scotland is working with individuals and organisations across the country to future-proof their skills and prepare for a low carbon Scotland.

“Easily accessible courses which provide support for businesses and staff to help tackle the impacts of climate change are a vital part of our move to net zero.”

Chris Clarke, performance and improvement director with SCAPE Scotland, said: “Improving Carbon Literacy will enable the construction industry to plan for net zero and respond to the climate emergency during the delivery of projects.  Through our Community Legacy Programme, SCAPE is bringing some of Scotland’s leading contractors and consultants together to support and enrich the training with real world, practical examples of how carbon reduction can be delivered in buildings and construction projects. 

“We are delighted to have been able to bring colleagues from our partners Morgan Sindall, Sweco, Balfour Beatty and Kier among others to support this work.  We hope to continue to support these critical national efforts in future.”

In May 2019, the Scottish Government declared a climate emergency and has pledged to drastically reduce emissions from Scotland. This will mean new legislation and technology that will bring significant changes to the construction sector.

To help ensure Scotland’s workforce has the skills needed for the transition to a net zero economy, the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan was published in December 2020, having been developed in partnership between the public, private and third sector.

The training is supported by Skills Development Scotland through the National Transition Training Fund, which is part of wider work related to Scotland’s Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan. 

To be eligible to register for the Climate Emergency Training participants must be either working in the construction sector or want to work in the sector. Individuals, or employees of an organisation are eligible for the training, subject to further eligibility criteria and a limit of three employees per organisation per training session.

To register and see all available training dates in May and June please see www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/cels.