Part of Historic Environment Scotland

Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings

Work towards a qualification in energy efficiency with our building conservation experts

Duration

2 days from 9.00am - 4.45pm

Dates

25-26 March 2025, 28-29 May 2025

10-11 September 2025, 3-4 December 2025

Cost

£495 for the two days. Includes NOCN enrolment and remote examination fees (including the cost of one resit, if necessary), as well as catered lunches and coffees/teas.

Location

The Engine Shed, Stirling. Remote assessments will take place after the course.

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As we face a global climate emergency, and conversations about environmental solutions for home energy intensify, qualifications in energy efficiency are more important than ever. On this programme, gain an overview of older and traditional (pre-1919) buildings, the range of energy efficiency measures available, how to evaluate their suitability and how to recommend their installation.

This 2-day course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and delivered by experts leading the way in energy efficiency for traditional and older buildings.

Book a place

There are 16 places available on each course. We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis so book now on Eventbrite to secure your spot before places sell out.

Book for Tuesday 25 March - Wednesday 26 March 2025  

Book for Wednesday 28 May - Thursday 29 May 2025

Book for Wednesday 10 September - Thursday 11 September 2025

Book for Wednesday 3 December - Thursday 4 December 2025

About the course

Our experts will guide you through three modules, so after the course, you'll be able to:

  • recognise the age, nature, and characteristics of older and traditional buildings
  • evaluate the appropriate options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings
  • make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings

Through the programme, you'll work towards a recognised qualification in energy efficiency. 

The total learning time for this qualification is 30 hours, with 21 guided learning hours. The combination of pre-course reading along with the two-day course and one-hour remote exam should achieve the required total learning time. Please read the NOCN Course Specifications for more information.

Please be aware that we may require you to show that you have undertaken all of these actions.

The course will last two full days. The full programme will be sent to candidates ahead of the course delivery. 

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for anyone aged 18 and over who already has a background and experience in the construction industry.

This includes:

  • experienced craftspeople and general building operatives
  • proprietors of small building companies who have experience of working on various aspects of traditional (pre-1919) buildings, or plan to undertake this type of work
  • site managers and supervisors involved in managing contracts for the energy efficiency and retrofit of traditional (pre-1919) buildings
  • estimators, planners, architects, surveyors, designers, architectural technologists, conservators, construction project managers, clerks-of-works, or other building or heritage professionals whose vocational role includes working on retrofit or providing advice and guidance on retrofit
  • Installers of Solid Wall Insulation systems (Internal & External Wall Insulation)
  • Installers of Passive Fire Protection measures
  • Retrofit Coordinators and Retrofit Assessors or others undertaking work in roles connected with PAS 2035

To take part in the course, you must demonstrate proof of knowledge and experience in these areas, including energy efficiency.

You will also need access to a personal computer for the assessment on an agreed day after the course.

Once you've booked a place

Once you’ve booked your place on the course, we'll issue you with a Learner Knowledge and Skills Scan pro-forma. You must complete and return this to us, along with a copy of your current CV, ahead of the course start date.

We will use these documents to determine your current level of understanding and experience of working on older buildings to make sure you meet the course entry requirements.

If you're accepted onto the course, we will keep your CV and Learner Knowledge and Skills Scan for quality assurance audits by the awarding body, NOCN.

If you don't meet the requirements, we will withdraw your offer of a place on the course and issue you a full refund.

Learning Outcomes

Unit 1

Recognising the age, nature and characteristics of older and traditional buildings

You will:

1. Be able to establish the age of a building, to identify a building of traditional construction and to understand the implications for the introduction of energy efficiency measures.
2. Be able to identify the heritage and significance of a building.
3. Be able to explain how conservation principles are applied to older and traditional buildings.
4. Be able to identify the construction of older and traditional buildings, their performance and the materials used.
5. Be able to identify the types of heating and ventilation systems in the building and the implications these have on the introduction of energy efficiency measures.
6. Be able to explain the implications of common building defects for energy efficiency measures.
7. Be able to refer to a specialist or recommend further analysis or investigation when required.

Unit 2

Evaluate the options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings

You will:

1. Be able to identify the range of energy efficiency measures relevant to older and traditional buildings.
2. Be able to assess the implications of the existing building condition and defects and how the repairs affect the choice of energy efficiency measures.
3. Be able to assess the implications of occupant behaviour for proposed energy efficiency measures.
4. Be able to assess the implications of the relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
5. Be able to assess the technical risks associated with the energy efficiency measures and how to mitigate the risks.
6. Be able to explain Energy Performance Certificates and their limitations and the impact of using default U-values and identify alternative sources of U-values.
7. Be able to evaluate the options for the introduction of energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings.

Unit 3

Make recommendations and provide advice on the introduction of energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings

You will:

1. Be able to make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings.
2. Be able to review a range of information sources and refine the proposed energy efficiency measures for older and traditional buildings.
3. Be able to prepare reports and plans including recommendations and providing advice on the introduction of energy efficiency measures for older and traditional buildings.
4. Be able to describe the implications of the relevant legal and regulatory requirements for the installation of energy efficiency measures in older and traditional buildings.
5. Be able to justify the recommended energy efficiency measures.
6. Be able to explain the requirements for the delivery of energy efficiency measures in a retrofit project.

Tutors

  • Dr Moses Jenkins MCIOB: Moses Jenkins joined Historic Environment Scotland in 2005 and is now a Project Manager in the Technical Conservation team at the Engine Shed. He has written various guidance notes over this time, most notably on the subjects retrofit and also brickwork. In 2009 he edited the book Building Scotland and in 2018 authored the book The Scottish Brick Industry. He gained his PhD through the study of Scottish traditional brickwork in 2017 and is a conservation accredited member of the Chartered Institute of Building. Having led many site-based technical research projects into retrofit of traditional buildings he is currently engaged in the development of policy, standards and qualifications to improve knowledge of retrofit measures for traditionally constructed buildings.
  • Lila Angelaka: Lila is a Senior Technical Officer in Historic Environment Scotland’s Technical Conservation (Retrofit & Fabric First) team. She holds a degree in Architectural Engineering in Building Conservation and Restoration, and a MSc in Architectural Conservation from the University of Edinburgh. She has worked in various conservation accredited architectural practices and heritage organisations, before joining HES in 2013 as a Historic Buildings Adviser in the Planning, Consents and Advice Service. In her current role, she is involved in energy efficiency retrofit projects, she is a writer and editor for a number of HES’s technical publications and blogs, and provides technical advice internally and externally on various technical subjects, including retrofit, climate change adaptation and fire safety.