Spring Design a Passivhaus Trust and AECB member whose expertise covers architecture, urban design, infrastructure, structures and transport planning took advantage of the 50% Welsh Government flexible skills grant to upskill their staff. Our Development Manager Tabitha Binding caught up with Associate Director Sustainability Jonathan Davies to find out more…

How did you find out about the Wales Flexible Skills Programme (FSP)?

We were alerted to the FSP by an industry contact who identified the opportunity to support investment in additional training. Read more HERE

Talk us through the application process

The process starts with a straightforward Expression of Interest submitted under our area of interest Net Zero Skills - Construction and Retrofitting of Residential Buildings.

Within 24 hours we were contacted with 4 forms: this varied from requiring company details and accounts to narrative descriptions of the anticipated benefits for individuals and the business. While taking a little while to resolve the training programme and compile the necessary information, this process was probably no more than half a day.

While advertised as taking significantly longer, we were pleasantly surprised to receive the grant award letter within 24 hours of submission.

Which Coaction courses did you select and why?

Spring is a multidisciplinary practice of Architects, Architectural Technicians & Technologists, Passivhaus Designers, Civil and Structural Engineers advocating demand-based metrics and PHPP-based energy modelling for the Welsh social housing sector. We are responsible for engaging Welsh Government directly to offer an alternative to EPC A which relies on a fabric-first approach to embed affordable warmth and climate resilience into homes.

Colleagues attended Introduction to THERM, PASSIVHAUS DESIGNER and PASSIVHAUS RETROFIT DELIVERY courses.

Upskilling Beth (Senior Architectural Assistant) and Carl (Senior Architectural Technologist) in thermal bridge modelling was designed to complement our existing energy modelling capabilities and allow us to assess and optimise junction details in-house.

Chartered Architectural Technologist Dewi Jones took on the Passivhaus Designer course with the intention to add further depth to our Passivhaus team, ensuring detailed design packages are produced with the appropriate deference to airtightness and thermal continuity and heightening awareness more generally through the technical team.

Passivhaus Retrofit Delivery was attended by Senior Architect Chris Lewis with a long-standing passion for retrofit and conservation, offering him an opportunity to develop his expertise in this area of interest.

How has their new knowledge fed into the practice?

Newly certified Passivhaus Designer Dewi is implementing his new knowledge on technical packages for a number of schemes targeting the AECB CarbonLite Standard, interrogating supply chain options to deliver the best performance outcomes.

“Discussions and engagement with the trainers and course members via Zoom, helped very much with the learning process. The knowledge gained on the Coaction Designer course around construction detailing required for low energy (Passivhaus and Carbonlite) dwellings has given me a niche in the industry I've longed searched for. A couple of schemes I am currently working on in my day-to-day role are to low carbon designs the sections on thermal bridging, bypass and airtightness have been invaluable.”  Dewi Jones Certified Passivhaus Designer & Chartered Architectural Technologist

Following completion of the Passivhaus Retrofit Delivery course, Chris has been developing retrofit strategies for an estate regeneration project retaining no-fines concrete constructions from the 1970s.

“The Retrofit Delivery course is collaborative; throughout the sessions there was ample opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions. The information presented was derived from practical experience, it was clear that the process has and will continue to be a learning exercise, continually improving knowledge and execution. Knowledge from this course has been applied to a number of current projects and is informing approaches on emerging projects too.” Chris Lewis Senior Architect

How easy was it to reclaim the 50% training cost and what proof is required?

A claim form and proof of course attendance (whether certificates of attendance or a signed attendance list) were required to reclaim the 50% training cost. We submitted all documentation and received the grant within 2 weeks

Was the Wales Flexible Skills Program grant worth applying for and will you apply in 2025/26?

FSP was absolutely worth the effort and provided Spring as a business the opportunity to consider a holistic training programme for our staff. We are hoping to apply for another round of funding this year, however because only one application can be made per financial year, we are having to strategically assess the availability of courses and plan a training schedule that works around people’s project and personal commitments.

Thank you, Jonathan.

In person meeting...

If you would like to catch up with Jonathan Davies in person why not join the newly formed AECB & PHT Local Group: South and West Wales group.

Further information:

For information on our course eligible for the Welsh Government Flexible Skills Programme visit COACTION COURSES

The Welsh Government Flexible Skills Programme Application Process

1. Submit an Expression of Interest Form: Businesses can submit an initial form on the Business Wales website, with the option of assistance from a Relationship Manager. Complete the Expression of Interest form today.

2. Eligibility Check: The Welsh Government will review the Expression of Interest form to ensure the business meets the full criteria.

3. Application Submission: If eligible, businesses will be invited to submit a detailed application. The application pack consists of:

• An application form
• A MERIT self-assessment form that evaluates the employer against a number of exemplar employer criteria: Management, Equality and Diversity, Remuneration, Industrial Relations and Training
• A PL8 form – the information requested on this form is to ensure that the employer’s bank details are set up correctly on our finance system in order that claims can be paid on completion of the training.

4. Approval and Funding: Successful applicants will receive funding and begin the training programmes. Decisions will typically be made within 10 working days.

5. NOTE: No contractual commitment should be entered into with a training provider until you have been notified of the outcome.