Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Building materials company Saint-Gobain has opened a new Technical Academy.
The centre, in Erith, Kent was opened by Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, and Peter Hindle MBE, general delegate for Saint Gobain in the UK, Ireland and South Africa.
The launch of the new training facility coincides with the introduction of a new range of courses focusing on key industry issues and developments, including the Code for Sustainable Homes, the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES) and the Green Deal.
These will be rolled-out across Saint-Gobain’s Technical Academy network, with training provided by experts from the company’s UK manufacturing businesses, including British Gypsum, Isover and Weber. It is targeted at a range of experienced industry professionals, including contractors, builders’ merchants and architects looking to up-skill, as well as new recruits to the industry.
Incorporating classroom facilities, a practical area for wet and dry training, and a product showroom, the venue will offer the same range of hands-on and theory-based courses available through the existing Leicestershire and Bristol Technical Academies.
Subjects include internal, external, acoustic and thermal insulation, drylining, plastering and flooring, and cover a number of products from across Saint-Gobain’s UK manufacturing businesses.
Hindle said: “One of the biggest challenges facing us in the UK today is the need to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of the built environment. This drive for low and zero carbon buildings and the supporting legislative changes means that construction professionals are faced with products and systems that can require very different skills from more traditional building methods.
“Over 2,500 people have completed courses at our Leicestershire and Bristol Academies since their launch last year and, following the launch of the Erith Academy, our customers in the south east will now have easy access to the same high calibre of training.”
