Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly said she is delighted that the target to retrofit 27,000 homes was met in 2022, adding that this year the aim is to retrofit 37,000 homes.
“This target is very achievable and can possibly be surpassed,” she said. “This has been facilitated by the huge interest in the Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB ) and retrofit upskilling and reskilling programmes.
“Enrolments on these programmes have increased from 363 in 2021 to a record 2,034 enrolments in 20222.
“Significant employment opportunities will increase alongside the demand for retrofitting in Ireland. It is an excellent time for those involved in, or thinking of becoming involved in, the construction industry to take up a new green skill,” she added.
The numbers were also welcomed by party leader and Minister Eamon Ryan.
“The one way we can keep up with this demand is to ensure that we have enough highly skilled people to respond to it. The increased numbers we are seeing committing to these NZEB courses is so encouraging.
“And while it means that more and more homes can become better houses to live in, it also means that thousands of workers with valuable green skills can be sure that they have work for years, if not decades into the future. Green jobs are also sustainable jobs for the longterm,” he said.
The skills training is provided in a number of further and higher education facilities including at Centres of Excellence operated by Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB ), Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB ), and Limerick Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB ). Courses are also delivered in Cork ETB and Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim ETB with further provision due later this year and in 2024.
The courses are free, fast and flexible with weekend and evening provision available. In many cases, where a person has an existing construction-related qualification, knowledge or experience, they can learn these skills quickly, usually within three-four days. Those in the sector interested in upskilling can find out more details by visiting gov.ie/therightcourse
