Did you know that approximately 33% of carbon emissions in Oxfordshire stem from buildings (with a staggering 46% of emissions coming from street lighting)?  Or that a report from Oxford revealed that a jaw-dropping 81% of the total carbon emissions in Oxford City are attributed to energy use in buildings?

These kinds of statistics call for an urgent, transformative approach to our building stock, and the launch of Abingdon and Witney College’s new Net Zero Skills Hub offers significant new opportunities to tackle this issue. Inaugurated in October 2023, the Hub not only addresses the environmental challenges posed by our buildings but also presents a golden opportunity for those interested in sustainable construction, opening up career opportunities, and contributing to the growth of Oxfordshire’s green economy. 

As part of this launch, the college is proud to unveil the first in a series of free pathway events, offering informal opportunities for individuals to explore the world of energy-efficient construction technology and gain essential skills in a rapidly growing sector with a high demand for a skilled workforce.  

Hosted at the Renewables Training Centre on their Abingdon campus, these in-person events are open to everyone – professionals seeking upskilling or a career change, current apprentices, trainees, and members of the public eager to make a positive impact. The two-hour sessions will feature presentations and testimonials from experts like Lina Budde-Manning, Iain Mcleod, Natasha Ginks, and Chris Creek, all team members or contractors of Cosy Homes Oxfordshire.  

The five pathway events cover a range of themes, with each event promising to introduce additional actions and options for training, from hands-on workshops to CPDs and accredited courses: 

• Wednesday, 22 November 2023 : Pathways into Domestic Retrofit 
• Wednesday, 6 December 2023 : Carbon and Climate Literacy 
• Wednesday, 10 January 2024 : Getting Heat Pump-ready 
• Wednesday, 31 January 2024 : Introduction to Airtightness and Ventilation 
• Wednesday, 14 February 2024 : How to become a Net Zero advocate. 

If you have contacts that you think may be interested in this opportunity, either within groups of friends and family, companies, or communities, we encourage you to share this valuable information. The Net Zero Skills Hub aims to mobilise Oxfordshire’s supply chain, turning existing contractors and installers into advocates for a Net Zero future. 

For further details and inquiries about these events, you can also reach out to Michael Huth at the college.