Background

UK-GBC launched the Sustainability Training and Education Programme (STEP) in June 2009 to determine and understand a growing industry demand for sustainability training and education.

The UK Green Building Council

The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) was launched in February 2007 to bring clarity, purpose and co-ordination of sustainability strategy to the sector. The Government's ‘Sustainable Buildings Task Group’ had earlier reported that no one body or organisation was providing clear direction for the sector as a whole. The UK-GBC was established to fulfil this role.

We are part of the World Green Building Council federation, membership of which is growing as new chapters are established across the globe.

We are a membership organisation, primarily consisting of businesses from across the industry. Uniquely, we bring together architects, engineers, investors, product manufacturers, cost consultants, energy suppliers, surveyors, developers, contractors, occupiers – anyone involved in the complex process of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining and operating our buildings.

Our members approach sustainability not only as a challenge, but as an opportunity and are committed to our campaign for a radical transformation in the sustainability of our built environment.

An important feature of our work are time limited ‘task groups’. These are working groups that bring together experts from within the membership to tackle a particular barrier that is perceived to be preventing progress. The clearly-defined outcomes frequently feed directly into the development of government policy, or will set out guidance for the industry on a given issue.

Background to the Sustainability Training and Education Programme

Education has become an increasingly important strategy in advancing the sustainable building agenda. The UK-GBC recognises that advancing its strategic goals will require expanding our core activities.

One of these activities includes educational programmes as a source of information and learning on sustainability and the built environment. We are committed to dramatically improving the way people live and work and radically transforming the way the built environment is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated. The foundation to achieve this transformation and UK-GBC’s mission is a training and education programme.

UK-GBC launched the Sustainability Training and Education Task Group in June 2009.

The original task group proposal gives further background information to the task group and explains the format of the group, which ran from 2009 until the launch of STEP on the 6th Spetember 2010 at the House of Commons.

You can keep up to date with the latest from the STEP task group on the UK-GBC's website here.

Market research into education and training needs:

In 2009 and 2011 we commissioned market research to help us better understand industry’s needs and growing demand for sustainability training and education (STEP) courses. This research clearly identified a need from both members and non-members for a cohesive education and training offering, together with a strong indication that the UK-GBC is well placed to take a leadership role.

STEP Executive Summary 2009

STEP Executive Summary 2011

Course offerings and STEP partners:

In October 2009, the UK-GBC received a total of 77 applications from organisations interested in partnering with UK-GBC for following two courses; the “Introduction to sustainability in the built environment” and “Sustainability leadership in the built environment”. In a rigorous process a panel consisting of UK-GBC senior management and STEP task group members has chosen the three most qualified partners for these first two courses. The decisions were based on a complex decision progress considering among other things the expertise, experience and capacities in the training and education area, with particular focus on sustainability and the built environment.

We are delighted to be partnering with the College of Estate Management (CEM) in the development of the “Introduction to sustainability in the built environment” course while CPSL will be UK-GBC’s partner for the “Sustainability Leadership in the Built Environment” programme.

Further information about the two courses are available here.

The future of STEP:

In addition to the first two STEP courses launched in summer 2010 (Introduction to sustainability in the built environment) and March 2011(Sustainability Leadership in the Built Environment), the UK-GBC sees the opportunity to cooperate with further educational organisations as well as existing STEP partners to develop further modules.

We aim to develop a UK-GBC Sustainability Associate Programme to build on the introduction and leadership courses. This accredited Associate programme would include further general sustainability courses as well as specific modules addressed to certain members of the building and construction supply chain.

If you would like to hear more about further course developments please register to receive STEP updates here.