The Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) and Retrofit upskilling and reskilling programmes in 2022 have welcomed a record number of participants.

Following progress in developing a national network of Centres of Excellence in retrofit skills training, including NZEB skills, the number of workers availing of these opportunities has increased steadily since the first centre was opened in 2020. Numbers have risen from 363 to 793 enrolments in 2021 and to a record 2,034 enrolments in 2022. This reflects an increase of 118% between 2020 and 2021, and 156% between 2021 and 2022.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD said: "I am delighted to see the increased uptake of these important courses. We are on track to having the highly knowledgeable and skilled workers needed to meet workforce needs between now and 2030.

"With the opening of the ETB Centres of Excellence, the capacity for workers looking to upskill in the area of Green Skills is there. As demand for retrofit increases there will be significant employment opportunities and I would encourage anyone in the construction trade to get onboard and help us build warmer, more energy efficient homes.

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"Last year also saw the establishment of a dedicated Construction and Green Skills Programme Office within SOLAS. Working with ETBs nationally, this office is focused on developing programmes and initiatives to drive forward this reform agenda with a particular focus on the construction sector.

"The government has set an ambitious target to retrofit 500,000 homes by 2030 and the increased numbers enrolling on NZEB courses and establishment of the SOLAS Programme office are important steps towards delivering on this target."

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan commented: "Last year we met our target to retrofit 27,000 homes. This year we aim to retrofit 37,000 and I have no doubt we will make that target also, and then, those beyond that. The pipeline of interest is huge. People up and down the country are clamouring to make their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run.

"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."

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.