It has concluded the lease of a former equipment hire unit in Harbour Road, Inverness, to be transformed into a modern campus, complete with classrooms, workshops and a social area.

Funding towards the initial development of the centre will be supported by a £352,000 grant from SSEN Transmission’s Regional Community Benefit Fund that was announced last week.

The centre will replace the current small training facility at Burnett Road. It will allow UHI Inverness to continue its rapid expansion of construction-related curriculum to meet the burgeoning demand for skills, including those related to local house building and regional economic opportunities, such as the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport. 
The 12,000-square-foot building, which has been fitted with solar panels, LED lighting and heat pump technology, will also serve as a hub for collaboration between industry stakeholders, contractors and developers and provide a dedicated base for research and development of sustainable technologies.

The training provided at the new centre will have a focus on sustainable construction skills and technology, to help meet net-zero targets and address regional skills needs. It is planned that the structured courses will cover topics such as building design, the use of energy-efficient materials, retrofit and insulation and will provide recognised qualifications and certifications. 

A project management team has been formed to lead refurbishment plans to ensure that the building will be ready to welcome students in the spring.

Carrie Higgins, the Tertiary Education Leader at UHI Inverness, said: “The construction industry is playing a pivotal role towards achieving net-zero targets and enhancing energy efficiency. There is an increased need for skilled professionals in our area to drive sustainable construction, which this new centre aims to address by providing a hub for training, innovation and research opportunities.

“By focusing on sustainability, we are preparing apprentices, students and the existing workforce to be skilled practitioners of green construction techniques.”

Professor Chris O’Neil, principal and chief executive at UHI Inverness, said: “The Sustainable Construction Centre represents an investment in the future growth of UHI Inverness, demonstrating our focus on supporting a greener, more resilient built environment. Our commitment to supporting the Government’s net zero targets is not just a goal, but a guiding principle that is shaping a curriculum with an emphasis on training a new generation of professionals skilled in sustainable practices. We are grateful to our agent Sandy Rennie, who supported us in locating a suitable property and securing the lease in record time.”

SSEN Transmission’s director of customers and stakeholders, Christianna Logan, said: “We’re delighted to be awarding our first £2m of funding to some incredible projects, including the important work being done by UHI Inverness to address skills shortages in sustainable construction.

“As we deliver the critical new infrastructure that is needed to meet energy security and net zero targets, we’re committed to generating real, sustainable value by investing in projects that enrich lives and strengthen communities – and this funding award does that.”