Two green-thinking construction apprentices who work for Lovell have taken part in a study trip to Hamburg where they were taught by German experts in building low-carbon homes.

Apprentice carpenter Paul Blakeman, 20, and Michael McDonald, 19, gained hands-on experience at a German centre of expertise in sustainable construction, the Ausbildungszetrum-Bau in Hamburg. The study trip was organised through Stephenson College in Leicestershire where the Lovell Craft Academy national apprentice training programme is based. The visit was funded by the Leonardo Programme, which supports European education and training initiatives by UK organisations.

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The ten-day course focused on techniques for ‘retrofitting’ existing homes to improve energy-efficiency, looking at different types of thermal insulation for the foundation slab structure, exterior walls, roof space and windows. The course included a demonstration of how a traditional building’s carbon footprint can be reduced to virtually zero through the use of advanced insulation.

"The course was a real eye-opener," said Paul, who is currently working for Lovell on an £8.4 million three-year housing improvement programme for Dudley Council. "I've just started working on refurbishing a block of flats in Dudley and I've been able to use some of the techniques I learned to insulate the flooring."

(CD/BMcC)