This programme is strategically crafted to optimise the decarbonisation of existing housing stock and elevate the workforce's skills to meet evolving property standards.

The £530,400 funding is part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, awarded to several organisations throughout the Scottish Borders.

The new offer of skills and training programmes is a continuation of a successful Community Renewal Fund Sustainability Academy delivered in 2021/22, to build the skills for what will become a green economy.

Borders College is collaborating with Social Landlords to establish a comprehensive training programme, empowering them to achieve their decarbonisation goals.

Additionally, we will extend this training to local businesses, ensuring their preparedness to meet the upcoming demand for retrofitting.

There will be a wide range of courses on offer, which will be tailored to meet the requirements of Social Landlords and companies.

These will include:

• Retrofit Introduction
• Health and Safety
• Air Tightness
• Thermal Imaging
• Thermal Efficiency
• Managing Moisture
• Introduction to Renewables
• Home Insulation
• Retrofit Electrical and Plumbing Specialist Pathways Options
• Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pump Training
• Battery Storage
• Solar and Unvented Hot Water
• Carbon Management and Literacy
• Electric Vehicle
• External Wall Systems
• Smart Home Control Systems
• Mechanical and Heat Recovery

Courses will be on offer from December 2023, and applications can be made through the College website.