A new term of the Green Accelerator Skills Programme (GRASP) has officially commenced, offering fully funded, accredited green skills training that can save participants up to £1,200 per person while supporting the construction sector across Northern Ireland and the border regions of Ireland to meet Net Zero requirements.
GRASP is led by South West College and supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It is delivered through a unique cross-border collaboration between further education colleges, education and training boards and Atlantic Technological University (ATU).
Running from January to March 2026, the latest GRASP term provides construction professionals with access to a wide range of specialist courses focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, retrofit and low-carbon technologies. Courses are delivered through a hybrid model, combining online learning with onsite training in specialist facilities, ensuring both flexibility and practical, industry-relevant skills development.
Speaking on the importance of the GRASP Programme, lecturer in Passive House, Gary Kelly said: “Passive House skills are rapidly becoming essential across the construction sector as clients, regulators, and occupants demand high-performance buildings that genuinely perform as designed. From my perspective as a part-time lecturer and practicing architect, the Passive House Designer and Tradesperson programmes are by far the most impactful courses I teach.
“Learners leave with practical, evidence-based skills they can bring straight to site or back to the office, translating into better internal comfort, lower energy use, and reduced energy bills for occupants. It is incredibly rewarding to see local practitioners grow in confidence and play a direct role in delivering higher quality, low-energy buildings across Northern Ireland and the cross-border region.”
By providing fully funded, accredited training, GRASP helps remove financial barriers to upskilling while enabling businesses and individuals to respond to increasing regulatory, environmental and skills demands across the construction industry.
Student Brian Munnelly says: “The CEPH course gave me a strong technical understanding of Passive House principles and has directly improved my work as an Energy Assessor and Civil Engineer. The support from South West College was excellent and being able to complete it fully funded through GRASP made it accessible and hugely worthwhile.”
The programme includes courses covering areas such as Sustainable Construction, Retrofit Skills, Photovoltaic and Heat Pump Systems, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Airtightness and Insulation, Environmental Management and Passive House. Training is delivered by a network of experienced providers across Northern Ireland and the border regions of Ireland, ensuring regional accessibility and alignment with local industry needs.
GRASP has been developed in direct response to the growing demand for a skilled workforce capable of delivering low-carbon buildings and infrastructure, while supporting workforce development, economic resilience and the transition to a more sustainable built environment.
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