Doors open for warmer homes

Efficiency North held an event on 1 April to celebrate the second cohort to graduate from the Real Green Jobs Accelerator Leeds External Wall Insulation Academy course, learning hands-on technical skills and experience.

The graduation was part of an open day showcasing how well the Academy is working through the successful collaboration of ten key stakeholder organisations, the scheme’s background and ambitions. Representatives from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Turner & Townsend and Energy Security enjoyed the day learning how to apply EWI themselves in the special training pods provided by Jewson Partnership Solutions on Geldard Road, seeing the external wall insulation works Equans are undertaking for Leeds City Council in Seacroft and hearing from tenants and residents about the benefits they’re feeling from the warmth created by the external wall insulation recently installed on their homes.

Leeds City Council utilising EN:Procure’s Gen-4 framework for installation, repairs and maintenance enabled the delivery of the EWI programme with the social value contribution part funding the Academy.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority funded the tuition element delivered by Leeds College of Building
EQUANS and subcontractors Hamilton Building Contractors are delivering the project and enabling real onsite experience. Enable Futures provide the recruitment and pastoral support offered to the learners who are referred by DWP Job Centre Plus. Jewson Partnership Solutions are providing the training space and Wetherby Wall Systems are providing the training materials.

Four learners now have employment with EQUANS and Hamilton Building Contractors working on EWI projects in Leeds for the Warm Homes Plan. The four are all Leeds locals who are now proud to be involved in the regeneration of their own communities.

Simeon Perry, Head of ESG at EN:Procure said, “The success of this project illustrates how meaningful employment and skills can be delivered through social housing procurement through collaboration. The construction sector needs programmes such as this now more than ever. This is the perfect time to learn and develop more of these programmes to fill the gaps in green construction skills and provide real jobs for people in their local communities.”

Learner Harry Hutchinson said, “Before this, I didn’t even know what EWI was. Now I understand it properly and I’m really enjoying it. You learn the skills step by step — measuring up, fitting the boards, getting the render right — and there’s a real sense of satisfaction seeing the finished result that people actually drive past and see.”

Learner TJ Ball said, “Coming here, you learn all the specifics — the measurements, the standards, and what you should and shouldn’t do so you don’t mess the job up. Before the training I was just bouncing between agency warehouse jobs, but this actually gives you proper skills and a clear direction.”