A TRAINING and employment programme in Coventry has addressed unemployment and is combating rising energy bills for vulnerable families.
Coventry City Council and Citizen have started a project with £23.9 million funding named, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, which aims to overhaul the energy efficiency of over 2,000 homes in the city.
In collaboration with Coventry College, the project introduced Green Skills Insulation Bootcamps in 2023, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Department of Education.
Two-week boot camps equipped local residents with essential retrofit insulation skills to support the government’s net-zero agenda.
Coventry College provided training in various insulation measures, including cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, and external wall insulation to over 50 adults.
Daniel from Coventry had been unemployed since the age of 16 said: “If it wasn’t for the Insulation Skills Bootcamp, I would never have known about the energy efficiency industry and the career opportunities.
“I’m proud to be helping to improve the energy efficiency of homes in local communities I have grown up in and helping people to lower their energy bills.”
Coun Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, at Coventry City Council, said:
“It’s vital that we look at every opportunity to help people develop new green skills and this is an ideal scheme especially as the need to retrofit and design more sustainable homes will grow and grow.
“As a city we are taking all the right steps to lead on the green industrial revolution and this partnership between Coventry College, Citizen and Dyson is really positive. I’m delighted that local students are benefiting.”
