Introduction to Sustainable Building Course

This is a basic course that RDE developed to introduce young people and people from disadvantages backgrounds to the Construction Industry and its needs into the future that will rely on sustainable construction knowledge and techniques.

It was very useful and we have had excellent feedback both from the funders and participants. If you are interested in running this course for your organisation then please contact us and we can discuss funding opportunities and how we can tailor make the course for your particular requirements.

The course is particularly relevant to young people and people from disadvantaged backgrounds as it can provide the insight and confidence to enter the industry with some essential background knowledge and experience.

History of the course with BME groups - Sikh case study.

This course has been run with the Bhatra Sikh community in Riverside, Cardiff. The course was a series of 6 evenings looking at a variety of building professions and how sustainable development influences decisions, specifications and skills. The sessions were run in the evenings in the Gurdwara for young people from the Sikh community. The structure consisted of:

• Introduction to sustainable building / team building exercise
• Sustainable design
• Off site construction / timber frames
• Wet trades (held at Barry College Construction Training Centre, Dumballs Road)
• Decorating naturally (the young people painted the Gurdwara using natural paints)
• Visit to a local construction site (University of Glamorgan Atrium Building - thanks to WD Turner)
• Presentation Day with the community and also career opportunities

The course was supported by Construction Skills and Career Wales (Cardiff and Vale)

Communities First case study

RDE in partnership with the ROLE programme and the Social Risk Fund ran a two week long course in August / September 2007 for people from minority ethnic communities in Cardiff. This course focused on practical tasters of trades and professions within the construction industry. The course will be firmly based in sustainable and lean construction principles, but also acted as a good insight into the opportunities afforded by the construction industry in SE Wales. The course will be run by RDE, but professionals from the different professions and trades took a lead in the delivery so that the participants heard from the 'horses mouth' about what each job really entails and what the future needs would be.