Apex Training, powered by The Verdancy Group, is proud to announce its upcoming support for the GROW (Glasgow Regional Opportunities for Work) programme, welcoming groups young people across February and March to the BE-ST Innovation Centre in Hamilton.
GROW is an ambitious, employer-led programme designed to give young people meaningful exposure to the world of work, helping them build confidence, raise aspirations and make informed career decisions. With a strong focus on inclusion and social mobility, GROW supports young people from lower socio-economic and disadvantaged backgrounds to access high-quality, real-world opportunities aligned to regional economic need.
As part of this engagement, Apex Training and The Verdancy Group will deliver a full-day, immersive green skills experience focused on climate change, Net Zero and domestic retrofit; highlighting the vital role homes and buildings play in Scotland’s transition to a low-carbon future.
Each group will take part in a carefully structured programme that blends interactive learning with hands-on practical activity. The day will include:
- Welcome and introduction to The Verdancy Group, setting the context for sustainability, skills and careers in the built environment
- Interactive session on climate change, Net Zero and the buildings sector, exploring why domestic buildings matter in tackling emissions, supported by online quizzes and group discussion
- Practical Heat Gun Challenge, where students will use thermal imaging cameras to compare local, less efficient buildings with the highly efficient BE-ST Innovation Centre
- Hands-on retrofit workshops focused on airtightness and ventilation, giving students practical insight into how energy efficiency improvements are delivered on real projects
- Careers-focused wrap-up and reflection, highlighting the range of roles available in retrofit and sustainability, the growing demand for green skills, and the education and training pathways into the sector
Hosting the sessions at BE-ST, which is also Scotland’s national innovation centre for the built environment, will allow students to experience a live innovation environment, helping bridge the gap between education and employment while showcasing emerging green career pathways.
David Cunningham, Community Engagement and Social Impact Manager at Apex Training, said: “Supporting the GROW programme is about much more than opening our doors for a day, it’s about opening pathways. By welcoming young people into the BE-ST Innovation Centre, we’re giving them hands-on exposure to the realities of green careers, the built environment and the skills Scotland urgently needs for a Net Zero future.
“These upcoming sessions mark the beginning of Apex Training’s involvement in the GROW programme, with a clear focus on creating lasting impact by building skills, confidence and accessible pathways into green and sustainable careers.”
Ashleigh McCulloch, Creative Director at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and DYW Glasgow Regional Lead added: “GROW is an ambitious initiative that embodies Glasgow’s commitment to developing a capable, driven and inclusive workforce.
“When designing the GROW programme, we placed employer engagement at its core. Opportunities like this give young people direct access to workplaces, role models and industries they might not otherwise encounter. Apex Training and The Verdancy Group’s commitment to providing hands-on, meaningful experiences in the green skills sector is exactly what GROW is about – supporting aspiration, widening opportunity and connecting young people to the future world of work.”