Highlighting the BEST training opportunities

Two animated characters have been recruited to highlight new training opportunities to help put Wales at the forefront of sustainability expertise in the built environment sector.     

Fictional Welsh architect, Sophie and her self-employed builder friend, Bryn are the latest recruits to spread the message about new training opportunities for businesses working in the built environment sector in some of Wales' most deprived communities.   

The short animated films are the brainchild of Built Environment Sustainability Training (BEST) – an EU supported programme led by academics at the University's Welsh School of Architecture in partnership with, Asset Skills, CITB Construction Skills, Constructing Excellence in Wales, the Energy Saving Trust, Proskills and Summit Skills.

Working alongside the award winning animation studio Radish Pictures the animated characters tell the story of two of the professionals who can benefit from BEST training opportunities.

"Whether you're an energy assessor, planner, surveyor or architect and builder like Sophie and Bryn living in Wales' convergence areas – you could be entitled to receive the latest training to develop knowledge and skills in sustainability practices," according to BEST Programme Director, Dr Julie Gwilliam from the Welsh School of Architecture.  

"Whether you are a firm who employs 100 people or one, BEST provide flexible training to help businesses grow, develop new skills and improve their impact on society, the environment, and the economy.

"The videos are great fun, and explain in simple terms what we are offering and what the benefits are – to individuals, businesses and to Wales as a whole. Radish Pictures has done a fantastic job – the videos are creating a lot of interest and helping to get our message out in a way that grabs people's attention," she added. 

All three videos can be viewed on the BEST website and on BEST's Youtube channel.

BEST is coordinating a major programme of flexible, subsidised training to develop knowledge and skills in the latest sustainability practices - particularly in construction, energy, waste, and water.

Supported by the European Social Fund, through the Welsh Government, BEST training courses will be offered to people who live or work in one of Wales' Convergence areas, from early 2014 until July 2015.

BEST is bringing together outstanding training providers to deliver training which will benefit businesses, employees, the environment and the economy of Wales, with training for people such as energy assessors and advisors, architects, planners, engineers, maintenance teams, surveyors, site supervisors and other related roles.

BEST is supported by the European Social Fund, through the Welsh Government to deliver training until July 2015.