Baxi has become a Level 3 signatory of the Future Skyline Skills Commitment, joining a growing group of construction firms and suppliers supporting the development of green skills across the built environment sector.
The initiative, developed by The City of London Corporation’s Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce, aims to encourage organisations across the industry to help build the skilled and diverse workforce needed to deliver sustainable commercial buildings in London and across the UK.
Shane Suter, Commercial Business Director at Baxi, said the transition to low carbon buildings will depend on strengthening the sector’s skills base.
“The built environment is responsible for 25% of UK greenhouse gas emissions, so how we design, refurbish, develop and manage our buildings is central to achieving the Government’s 2050 net zero target,” he said.
“Accelerating the transition away from traditional fossil fuel systems to clean, low carbon heating solutions can’t happen without a skilled workforce. At Baxi we are absolutely focused on encouraging and training new talent while green upskilling existing heating engineers to overcome the current skills shortage.”
Baxi launched its Sustainability Pledge in 2020 and is also a founding member of the Construction Inclusion Coalition, which works to improve equity, diversity and inclusion across the construction industry.
The company’s profits support the BDR Foundation, through which it promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in UK schools and colleges. Initiatives include partnerships with organisations such as WorldSkills UK and Primary Engineer to help inspire the next generation of engineers.
Baxi has also expanded its apprenticeship programme to include a low carbon heating technician apprenticeship. The company recently recruited its first two apprentices specialising in air source heat pump technology.
Naomi Leugs, Early Careers Partner at Baxi, said the company is committed to helping shape a future ready workforce.
“We are proud to add our name to the Future Skyline Skills Commitment and to working with fellow signatories to help shape the more inclusive, diverse and future ready heating sector that the UK needs,” she said.
Find more information on how Baxi is supporting the green skills agenda here.
