Low Carbon Passport Surpasses 1000 Learner's Milestone

Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) has reached a major milestone in its Low Carbon Passport programme, with more than 1,000 learners now trained in the skills needed to deliver low-energy, high-quality buildings across the UK. 

The fully funded programme, supported through the CITB Industry Impact Fund and led by Tier 1 Contractor Balfour Beatty and developed in collaboration with Morrison Construction, Kier Construction, Robertson Group, Coaction and The Passivhaus Trust, set an ambitious target to train 1,200 construction workers by the end of 2026. With just 200 learner places remaining, the programme is now entering its final phase. 

The achievement reflects growing demand across the construction sector for practical, high-quality training that helps improve building performance and supports the transition to net zero. 

The Low Carbon Passport delivers free-to-access, multi-modal skills training which balances a flexible online learning platform, with an innovative hands-on practical session. The programme is designed to improve understanding of energy efficiency, construction quality and the factors that influence real-world building performance, helping to close the gap between design intent and completed buildings. 

Delivered in partnership with colleges across Scotland and Northern England, training has attracted a diverse audience from across the built environment, including site operatives, apprentices, supervisors, housing professionals, educators, contractors and manufacturers. This broad participation demonstrates that delivering better-performing buildings requires knowledge and collaboration across the entire construction supply chain, not just within individual trades. 

The programme has also expanded beyond direct delivery by BE-ST. Through a train-the-trainer model, colleges have been equipped to embed the learning into their own curriculum, helping create a lasting skills legacy for future generations entering the industry. Training is now being delivered by college partners including City of Glasgow College in Glasgow, Inverness College (UHI) and the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), extending the programme's reach across the UK. 

With only nine practical training sessions remaining, learners still have the opportunity to take part at City of Glasgow College, NMITE and the Energy Transition Skills Hub before the programme reaches its 1,200 learner target. 

Kirsty Duncan, Associate Director of Skills Infrastructure at BE-ST, said:

"Reaching 1,000 learners is a significant milestone, but more importantly it shows the appetite across the industry to develop the skills needed to deliver better-performing buildings. 

We've seen learners from right across the built environment take part, reflecting the fact that delivering low-carbon, high-quality buildings depends on everyone understanding the principles of building performance. 

We're particularly proud that the programme is creating a lasting legacy. Alongside delivering training ourselves across the UK, we've worked with colleges through a train-the-trainer approach so they can embed the learning into their own curriculum. With organisations including NMITE and City of Glasgow College now delivering the programme, we're helping build long-term capacity to equip both today's workforce and the next generation with the skills needed for a low-carbon future." 

The Low Carbon Passport is fully funded and free to access until December 2026. It combines online modules with practical, in-person sessions covering key topics including insulation, airtightness, moisture management, thermal bridging, building services and construction quality. 

The remaining practical training sessions will take place at City of Glasgow College, NMITE and the Energy Transition Skills Hub, with just 200 learner places still available before the programme concludes. 

Attendees at BE-ST Fest 2026 will also be able to take part in ‘Inside the Rig: Lessons from Low Carbon Passport’, a practical and collaborative workshop dedicated to exploring how hands-on learning can support better low-energy construction developed for construction industry students, educators and professionals.

Sign up to attend BE-ST Fest 2026 for free now.

Find out more about Low Carbon Passport and register for free.