Quantum Training, a specialist in designing and installing practical low-carbon retrofit training environments for the further education sector, has strengthened its collaboration with Ecological Building Systems to expand high-quality, building-physics-led learning across UK colleges.
Together, the organisations are delivering comprehensive retrofit training spaces that prepare learners with the skills required to support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon built environment.
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The cooperation builds on several completed and ongoing installations, including projects at Northampton College, Barking & Dagenham College, Barnsley College and the Westminster Adult Education Centre, with further colleges already in development. Each facility has been designed to reflect real building conditions, supporting hands-on learning in airtightness, insulation, moisture management and fabric-first retrofit principles.
Maria Gonella, Managing Director at Quantum Training, highlights the shared vision behind this work: “To create meaningful impact, we must all speak with one voice. Clear, consistent and practical learning is essential to building genuine competence in sustainable construction.”
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Ecological Building Systems has supported Quantum Training in shaping the technical accuracy of the retrofit rigs, ensuring that the materials, detailing and installation methods reflect robust building-physics principles. This ensures that learners are not only exposed to theory but also develop the practical competence expected in real-world retrofit projects.
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Training bays incorporate a carefully selected range of sustainable materials, including systems from Pro Clima, Gutex and Diasen. These products allow students to work directly with airtightness solutions, natural insulation, breathable plasters and moisture-managed assemblies, all core elements in the delivery of high-performance retrofit.
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Penny Randell, General Manager UK and Director at Ecological Building Systems, comments: “It has been fantastic to work alongside Quantum Training, to advise on the creation of their retrofit training rigs at these colleges, as part of equipping the next generation with low-carbon construction and refurbishment skills. As the industry moves towards net zero, it is essential that the UK has the skills to upgrade the energy performance and sustainability of existing homes, and these colleges will play an important role in this.”
A significant differentiator of the Quantum Training and Ecological Building Systems collaboration is the emphasis on tutor development. Quantum Training delivers a Train the Retrofit Trainer programme, developed with inputs from Ecological Building Systems and Mount Lucas, to equip further education tutors with a strong technical grounding, practical confidence and guidance for delivering retrofit education effectively.
This programme ensures that the impact of each retrofit installation scales through teaching. When tutors are well-prepared and confident in the materials, they can deliver meaningful, hands-on learning at volume, enabling colleges to train large cohorts and support long-term industry transformation.
The facilities and training programmes are designed to support a diverse learner profile. Further education colleges deliver training to 16–19 year olds, adult learners seeking to retrain or upskill, and individuals entering the sector through short, employment-focused pathways such as Bootcamps and SWAP programmes.
By offering flexible modes of delivery, from short intensives to guided learning hour courses, colleges can adapt their training to local needs, employer demand and emerging opportunities in the retrofit and sustainable construction sectors.
This widening of access is essential to developing a retrofit-capable workforce at the scale required. The UK’s net-zero ambitions cannot be met without a strong pipeline of skilled individuals versed in practical, fabric-first retrofit methods