Berkeley partners to launch net zero skills programme

Berkeley Group has partnered with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to launch an initiative aimed at developing the skills needed for the industry to meet the UK’s net zero goals.

The Net Zero Skills in Construction Programme will feature tailored training, resources and support to build practical skills, increase awareness and open new business opportunities for sustainable construction practices, according to Berkeley.

The housebuilder said the two-year practical programme, undertaken through the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s free training model, would focus on helping education providers and SMES “to confidently adopt net-zero approaches”.

With support from the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) Industry Impact Fund, the programme has been established in collaboration with organisations including Kier, Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall and others from the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s Future Workforce Leadership Group.

Berkeley said those involved in the initiative had helped shape the training to ensure it addressed “real-world” needs across the construction supply chain.

The programme aims to support SMEs by offering bespoke training sessions, allowing them to benefit from net zero strategies in their operations.

And Berkeley said trainers and assessors would be upskilled to ensure “the next generation of professionals is …