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Robert Price has announced it is working with housebuilders, contractors and social housing providers to upskill staff in response to the net zero carbon challenge – was the focus of a visit by Vaughan Gething MS this week.
The Minister for Economy visited the Newport Branch of Robert Price today to learn how South Wales’ largest independent Builders’ Merchants are helping upskill trades within the construction industry on the path to net Zero.
Mr Gething said: “The Welsh Government is building a stronger, fairer, greener Wales, where no one is left behind. We need to embrace new technologies and construction methods to grow a skilled workforce and build long term quality jobs as we transition to a net zero economy.
“I am therefore delighted to see how Robert Price is helping upskill our workforce with the knowledge and practical training that will help us on our decarbonisation journey. This will ultimately drive a stronger, more competitive Welsh economy by narrowing the skills divide, boosting good jobs and tackling inequality.”
Mr Gething was given a tour of its SEC and the various product solution zones displayed there, before attending a training session on Heat Pump installation in the branch’s training academy.
Kassie Williams, sustainable partnerships manager, explained: “Social housing suppliers and other construction companies were telling us they wanted to learn more about the various decarbonisation products available but there was nowhere providing joined up solutions. Working with specialist manufacturers, we decided to set up the Sustainable Energy Centre.
“We now have numerous product solutions on display in a dedicated showroom and we hold regular open days, training events and seminars for operatives, tradespeople, housing developers, social housing providers and local councils.”
Robert Price Builders’ Merchants opened the Sustainable Energy Centre in 2022 in response to the ever-growing demand for product information and training in sustainable building technologies.
