A few places are still available for a free five-day study tour of energy retrofit case studies in Rome, Turin or Prague. The EU-funded course is part of a project to establish a new professional role, the European Energy Auditor and Renovator (EEAR).
Offered through the NET_LEARNING initiative, the aim of the course is to update the role of energy auditor by extending skills in energy retrofitting and energy efficiency evaluation of existing buildings. The new EEAR professional qualification will be recognised across the EU.
Paola Boffo, specification specialist and associate at AECOM, who has been running the course for two years, says she still has a handful of fully-paid study tour places to offer.
There are 43 places available to young architects in all, with two remaining for the study tour in Rome (4-8 September), one in Prague (4-8 September) and one in Turin (25-30 September), so applications need to be submitted as soon as possible.
But first, any architects wishing to apply must complete the first stage of the NET_LEARNING online programme. The ‘Basic Course’ consists of four distance-learning modules covering: Introduction to sustainable retrofit; Building physics – passive design; Building physics – active systems; and Approaches to sustainable retrofit.
Successful completion of the course and being a qualified architect under 35 years of age are the only entry requirements for the five-day, second-stage specialist course, says Boffo.
The ongoing EU support for the NET_LEARNING project through the Erasmus+ funding programme is to create a skills base of qualified professionals operating and recognised at EU level to support broader EU 2020 energy efficiency objectives.
Studies suggest that 90% of existing buildings across the EU will be renovated at some point in the future, so the promotion of energy retrofit is an EU priority programme.
In the pipeline is a NET_LEARNING Handbook, an electronic publication covering research and analysis of case studies on energy auditing, retrofit and related topics. The Handbook will be presented at a free RIBA event, Net_Learning – New Energy to Rebuild European Learning, on 26 September 2017.
Completion of the NET_LEARNING Basic Course generates a certificate and instructions to send a CV and letter of interest in taking the second-stage course to Paola Boffo. However, given the timescale for confirming places on next month’s study tours, Boffo says architects can contact her directly in advance about their interest in completing the course and attending the study tour.
Thanks to Paola Boffo, Associate, AECOM.
Text by Neal Morris. This is a ‘Practice News’ post edited by the RIBA Practice team. The team would like to hear your feedback and ideas for Practice News: practice@riba.org
Posted on 17 August 2017
