Sustainabuild Assembly: Closing the Green Skills Gap in the Built Environment
EVENT AGENDA
08:30 - 09:00 Welcome Registration & Networking Coffee Location: Snugg, Ground Floor
09:00 - 09:05 Transition time- from Snugg to Meeting Room 1, First Floor
09:05 – 09:10 Welcome - Matt Colgan, Founder, Sustainabuild - Location: Meeting Room 1, First Floor
09:10 - 09:20 Opening Address - MSP Graeme Dey, Minister for Further & Higher Education
09:20 - 09:35 Plenary - ‘Collaborate for Impact: Net Zero Built Environment Research, Innovation, and Education’
Professor Robert Hairstans, Director of the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology at New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering / Professor at Edinburgh Napier University & Skills Lead for the Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings
09:35 - 10:20 Panel Discussion 1: Devising a Pathway to Action
Moderator: Steven Kiakowski, Director, The Verdancy Group
Panellists:
Greg Steel, Head of Sector STEM & Sustainable Construction, Borders College
Jim Johnstone, Head of Communities and Social Impact, Morrison Construction
Kirsty Duncan, Associate Director of Skills Infrastructure, BE-ST
10:20 - 10:50 Networking Coffee Location: Snugg, Ground Floor
10:55 - 11:40 Panel Discussion 2: Implementation & Action Location: Meeting Room 1, First Floor
Moderator: Nicola Jackson, Net Zero Projects Lead, Robertson Group
Panellists:
Rebecca McLean, Sustainability Director, SWECO UK
Lilian Ho, Senior BIM Manager, Digital Lead, AECOM
Anne Johnstone, Head of ESG, Vital Energi
11:40 - 11:45 Thanks & Wrap-Up - Matt Colgan, Founder, Sustainabuild - Location: Meeting Room 1, First Floor
11:55 - 12:30 Breakout Sessions Three locations: 1st Floor-Meeting Room 1 and Ground Floor-Snugg front and Snugg back
- Expert-led interactive roundtable workshops – Choose one of:
1. Retrofit Skills- Led by Steven Kiakowski, Director, The Verdancy Group
2. Clean Heat- Led by Anne Johstone, Head of ESG, Vital Energi
3. Low-carbon Construction- Led by Finn Caldwell, Assistant Low Carbon Manager, Morrison Construction
12:30 Event Ends
What is Sustainabuild Assembly?
Sustainabuild Assembly is part of a new event series by Sustainabuild dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges facing the built environment as the sector transitions toward net zero. Sustainabuild as a networking community for sustainability-driven built environment professionals, assembles key figures across public, private, and third sectors to drive collaboration and create actionable solutions. This first Assembly will focus on addressing the huge challenge of how we can close the Green Skills Gap to fill the jobs we need to achieve a net zero built environment.
Attendees:
Space is limited to 50 attendees who will be made up of forward-thinking industry professionals from all sectors and multiple disciplines—architects, engineers, housebuilders, ESG and sustainability leaders, construction managers, local government, green skills trainers, educators, and students—who want share knowledge and learn how they can future-proof their careers and businesses by upskilling and re-skilling themselves or their teams with the essential green skills of the future. This event is ideal for leaders who seek to differentiate their companies in the market, attract the brightest talent, gain insights into the evolving green jobs landscape and most importantly walk away with some positive practical actions to implement immediately.
What to expect:
Sustainabuild Assembly is a hybrid forum with a mix of keynote talks, panel discussions, networking opportunities, interactive expert-led workshops, and showcases. The event will offer multiple ways for participants to gain knowledge and build connections while addressing diverse learning and interaction preferences. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the current green skills landscape, discover strategies for upskilling existing teams, and learn about the emerging green jobs that will shape the industry’s future.
Event highlights:
Keynote presentations on green skills strategy and future workforce trends
Panel discussions exploring the evolving demands for green skills in retrofit and clean energy
Insights into attracting and retaining the brightest green talent
Guidance on upskilling existing staff to deliver sustainable building projects
Networking opportunities for cross-sector collaboration
Green skills training and service provider showcases
Attendees earn 4 CPD credits
Don't miss this opportunity to network and learn with all-disciplines of built environment and construction professionals who are driving real change in the sector.🌿
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