Pictured: (l-r) Andrew Stunell MP, Under Secretary of State
for Communities and Local Government and Peter Bounds, Chair of the
CoRE Board, on the roof of the new CoRE development
Thousands of UK construction trainees are set to benefit from a
new national centre for sustainable building skills launched in
Stoke-on-Trent.
CoRE, the Centre for Refurbishment Excellence, was officially
opened by Andrew Stunell MP, Under Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government.
Built at a cost of £11.4 million, CoRE, in Longton,
Stoke-on-Trent, will take trainees from across the UK. Andrew
Stunell MP said CoRE would help to provide the skilled craftspeople
necessary to transform the UK's housing stock in line with higher
energy efficiency standards.
"Over three-quarters of the buildings that will be standing in
2050 have already been built - so it is vital that we find ways to
reduce carbon emissions from all types of existing buildings, and
for every type of budget, or the country risks losing its battle
against climate change," explained the junior Minister.
"That's why this Government has wasted no time taking practical
steps to pave the way for tenants and homeowners to retrofit their
homes through Green Deal, and for businesses to provide the
upgrades.
"But with the clock ticking towards the launch of the Green
Deal, it is now essential that businesses have all the necessary
skills to carry out green upgrades on existing homes.
"I'm delighted to be opening the new national centre for green
building expertise - the new skills hub will become an
international centre of excellence for providing the right skills
to retrofit homes, helping to create jobs and putting Britain
centre stage of the multi-billion pound transition to a low-carbon
future."
CoRE will open to students at the start of January 2012. The
centre has been built in a partnership between the internationally
renowned Building Research Establishment (BRE), Stoke-on-Trent City
Council and Stoke on Trent College. E.ON, a leading UK energy
company has supported the project as a founding sponsor.
Phase one of CoRE, an impressive training centre for the
building industry and the new Stoke on Trent College Technology
Centre, is now complete.
It has been built by leading West Midlands based contracting
group, Shaylor.
CoRE is a unique national education centre hosting courses and
tutorials to upskill trades people in areas such as photovoltaic
(solar) panels, ground source heat pumps, new insulation techniques
and many more innovative solutions to fit the UK with greener
homes.
The CoRE building will be a research tool as it is fitted out to
the highest BREEAM energy efficiency standards.
The roof of the complex has 185 photo voltaic panels fitted to
it - generating enough electricity to heat and power the building
and providing power for the National Grid.
A second phase of the project will see the historic Enson Works,
a 19th century Listed pottery factory brought back to life.
The Enson Works is a significant building on the skyline of the
Potteries, featuring four - of only 47 - bottle kilns remaining in
Stoke-on-Trent.
Peter Bounds, Chair of the CoRE Board, said: "At CoRE we will
provide the craftsmen and women needed to refurbish the UK's ageing
housing stock into homes which are both fit for modern living and
reach the high environmental standards that are required.
"Our trainees will be equipped with the best, most up to date
skills, to provide refurbished homes which are energy efficient and
save the owners' money on their fuel bills.
"CoRE will be the catalyst for regenerating a derelict Victorian
Pottery site and bringing new life to a run-down part of the city
of Stoke-on-Trent. It will be a living example of regeneration,
refurbishment and sustainable development."