Birmingham City University (BCU) are pleased to announce their new course, Retrofit the City, brought to you by the Birmingham School of Architecture and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), taught by industry leading experts in the field.
The programme blends theoretical knowledge and practical experience, with case study visits across the UK.
IS THIS SHOURT COURSE FOR YOU?
Whether you’re looking to break into one of the most exciting and impactful sectors out there or level up your skills for you or your employees to help shape a sustainable future, this course has you covered. This bootcamp is open to professionals, self-employed individuals, and company employees who are passionate about sustainability and retrofit, connected to the West Midlands region.
People applying can be working in, but not limited to, urban design and planning, architecture, landscape, housing, community groups and cooperatives.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS COURSE?
With the UK targeting Net Zero by 2050, and buildings responsible for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions, retrofitting has become critical. To meet these targets, it takes more than just improving energy efficiency; it’s about tackling fuel poverty, improving lives, creating jobs, stimulating green, developing ethical supply chains, and future-proofing building assets.
This Retrofit the City Skills Bootcamp is structured around key topics crucial for understanding and implementing effective retrofit strategies for communities and buildings; equipping participants with the skills and understanding needed to drive the retrofit agenda forward. Learners will consider how they can apply their new knowledge/thinking within their roles/career development through practical steps embedded throughout eight taught sessions including:
- Introduction to Retrofit the City: definitions for reuse, planning and policy
- Community Powered Retrofit
- Retrofit in Public Buildings
- Sustainable Materials for Retrofit
- Domestic Retrofit at Scale
- Small Scale Domestic Retrofit
- Training and Knowledge Sharing & Campaigning and Activism
- Retrofit the City: Your Present and Future
SCHEDULE, FEES AND ELIGIBILITY
Skills Bootcamps are funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and funding is eligible to employed professionals or registered self-employed that either work or live in the West Midlands based on your postcode.
Employers are responsible for paying the fee and charged dependent on business size:
- SME (10%): £308
- Large Organisation (30%): £924
- If you are registered self-employed, the course will be free of charge
The remainder of the fee will be funded by the WMCA and Department for Education.
The course is scheduled over 8 sessions over 14 weeks from November. All sessions are on campus except for planned case study visits. Please see the website for the full course dates. https://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/retrofit-the-city
ENQUIRIES AND HOW TO APPLY
Book your place here:
Please visit the course webpage for full eligibility rules and dates. https://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/retrofit-the-city
Still need to ask a question? Email skills.bootcamps@bcu.ac.uk for further details.
ABOUT THE ORGANISER
Birmingham School of Architecture and Design is one of the oldest architecture schools in the country, validated as a RIBA school in 1908. The School offers programmes in architecture, landscape, interior architecture and design management, with close relationships within creative industries and the built environment sectors. These are key relationships that allow BCU to have an influence on the region and offer their students hands-on experience in re-shaping the city.
This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority:
