‘Green’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ are terms often bandied about but can leave people asking ‘what can I do?’ and ‘how does it affect me?’ Both questions were clearly answered for construction Apprentices at Coleg Gwent’s Pontypool Campus in November when they took part in workshops to highlight sustainable practices in the industry.
From the use of solar energy for electricity and hot water in the home, to water consumption and using sustainable materials, the trainees learned about the impact regeneration can have on the environment and how to adopt sustainable processes to meet the needs of local communities, businesses and individual households, now and in the future.
The trainees also gained an insight into more traditional ‘green’ processes around pollution and the environmental impact construction can have such as waste and recycling, as well as dust and noise pollution and consideration for neighbouring communities. Not forgetting the legislation on sustainability, which has become increasingly stringent in the last decade, the group discussed the legal implications and codes of practice.
The workshops were brought to life using real examples at The Works in Ebbw Vale which will be home to the College’s brand new Campus, the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, as well as the residential, leisure, business and community developments included in the £350million regeneration project.
Helen Reardon, Community Engagement Officer for The Works project and Veronika Brannovic, People and Wildlife Programme Manager for Gwent Wildlife Trust gave the trainees an insight into the sustainable features at The Works that will help preserve the environment for future generations, whilst meeting current social and economic demands. The students found out about the construction-related aspects of environmentally friendly housing including the use of sustainable resources and energy efficiency.
They will visit The Works early in 2012 allowing them to see the practical sustainability skills they learned in the workshop in action.
Coleg Gwent is delivering a series of the workshops for construction trainees across south east Wales. Head of Technology at the Campus Alyson Moon explains more: “Construction Skills selected the College to deliver the workshops to over 50 employed learners in the area and they’ve proving extremely positive. As contractors are increasingly being required to demonstrate sustainable practises, it’s essential that construction workers now and in the future understand the impact construction can have on the environment and have the skills to implement long term affordability, quality and efficiency.”
Councillor John Mason, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, says: “Sustainable living is high on the agenda everywhere – not least here in Blaenau Gwent – and it is these apprentices who will be tasked with helping to take this forward and learning the skills to secure a sustainable future for us all.
“I am delighted that The Works site, which is at the forefront of sustainable developments, and the project team there has been able to assist in this important exercise to support these environmentally friendly tradesmen and women of the future.”
