The Climate Change Committee called for a 'step change' in developing low carbon skills in construction in its 2023 report, "A Net Zero Workforce." To meet the 2045 Net Zero target for the built environment we need to address skills imbalances, including gaps, shortages and mismatches.
Identifying the potential to build on an existing competence knowledge base capability, Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), Scotland’s National Innovation Centre for a Net Zero Built Environment, is addressing the skills challenge. It is doing this by building upon its successful hands-on and experiential training within Retrofit, Passivhaus and digital transformation. BE-ST is also working with sector innovators to develop tech-enabled approaches.
Developed in partnership with Intelartes and Dynamic Knowledge, this capability is a key building block of AI PathwayPro - a platform which provides pathways into training and work by aligning employer needs, learner needs, and training courses. The AI PathwayPro platform will create a comprehensive system for matching competency demands and supplies to aid skills transferability. The platform will use AI to more effectively link low-carbon skill requirements and know-how, competences and relevant standards with training or other learning interventions - making upskilling more visible, accessible, and adaptable.
By addressing the evolving needs of employers and workers, this solution could be key to closing the skills imbalances and reducing fragmentation in the Built Environment sector. With support from Scottish FE colleges, this project aims to scale and be pivotal in addressing the low-carbon upskilling requirements across the Built Environment workforce.