Educating a new generation of sustainable constructors

Cheshire College Assistant Principal, Mark Parsons, recently spoke to Inside Sustainability magazine to share early insights about the new sustainable house that is being built at the College’s Ellesmere Port Campus, and how the project will allow apprentices and students to study ‘on the job’ in the College’s very own, on-campus passive house.

To cater for an ever-increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly properties, the next generation of construction workers are learning new skills in different ways and work is also underway to upskill those already in the trade to meet improved sustainability standards.

“It’s no secret that education is a key driver towards a better and more sustainable future,” said Mark Parsons, Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Cheshire College – South and West. “Education, however, takes on many meanings, from influencing people’s day-to-day habits, like turning the thermostat down, using reusable water bottles, or walking to the shops rather than driving, right through to the education system having sustainability on the curriculum and learning new ‘green’ behaviours.” Working with local partner businesses, Cheshire College is erecting its own fully functioning passive house on campus with the purpose of allowing students on various courses to be able to explore, examine and learn from the house.

“The idea is that the students will get to work on the new house in a real-life setting but without it being someone’s actual home, where it can be costly if a mistake is made,” continued Mr Parsons. “This hands-on approach will help develop new skills and tackle the UK’s current skills shortage.

“Learning is very different when you can use your senses: see and touch the house – as opposed to looking at an image on a screen or in the classroom. The house will allow students to work on the maintenance, as well as installation of sustainable features, for example looking at the servicing of ground source heat pumps and how they work.

“Students will also get to examine the analytics of the home on the courses at levels two, three and four, to see what financial and environmental savings can be achieved through the seasons.”

The students involved in the on-going project will be studying for T Levels, and two of the T Level routes at the College that will work on the house are electrical, technical and plumbing, as well as building, surveying and planning. Scan the QR code below to view the full article (p.154 – 155).