Two hundred 14 – 16 year olds last week took part in a programme of activities to learn more about sustainable development in a Construction Skills event that was supported by the Heads of the Valleys Programme.
The Heads of the Valleys Programme has supported a Construction Skills event for the last two years. This year the Programme has worked with a range of partners to explore microgeneration, water conservation and the ways in which houses will be designed built and refurbished in the future.
As part of the event, which was held at the British Gas Energy Academy in Tredegar, the teenagers were given a tour of the training facility and viewed a series of demonstration buildings showing the development of energy conservation over the last fifty years. The young people also learnt about the ways in which microgeneration could help to reduce their carbon footprint in the future.
Demonstrations included:
- A presentation by the Building Research Establishment [BRE] setting out the work being undertaken in South Wales to improve energy conservation in older Valleys properties;
- An interactive programme from Dwr Cymru h to help pupils calculate their carbon footprint and inform them about sustainable use of water resources;
- A presentation from Justin Bere of Bere Architects about their prize winning low carbon house which could potentially set a standard for modern housing building in the years ahead.
Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration said:
“There is some excellent work being undertaken in the Heads of the Valleys to support the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to sustainable development. Over the next few years the housing stock in parts of Wales will be refurbished to meet carbon reduction targets. This will help us to maintain our commitment to reducing fuel poverty and meeting our targets on microgeneration.
“The Arbed which programme addresses our ambitions to reduce climate change and to eradicate fuel poverty by installing insulation and microgeneration in public housing stock, is a key driver for improving housing conditions for the twenty-first century, and programmes like this help to raise awareness amongst young people.”
Ian Clarke, Centre Manager for British Gas said:
“It is vitally important that young people learn about the ways in which we, as a utility company, can help to reduce the impact of fossil fuels. These young people will have gained a better understanding of the efforts being made to manage energy use for the future.”
Frank Callus, Strategic Programme Manager for the Heads of the Valleys Programme said:
“The construction industry is changing and this programme is intended to help shape the choices that teenagers will make. The need to address climate change means that many employment opportunities will exist in these areas within the Heads of the Valleys in the future. It is important that we raise awareness among young people and give them the understanding to make the right choices for their future.”
